When you wake up, a wave of dizziness rolls through you, your head throbbing as though you’ve slept far too long. Your eyes flutter open, struggling to focus, and you realize you’re in the backseat of a car. The low hum of the engine fills the air, steady and almost soothing.

You shift instinctively, only to hear the dull click of the locked doors, the child safety locks engaged. A knot of unease tightens in your chest as the reality of it sinks in. Your gaze slowly drifts to see who the driver is, and your stomach immediately drops when you realize it's your best friend's brother, Darell.

Sunlight filters through the windshield, tracing the sharp lines of his face. His expression is calm, almost reassuring at first, the kind of look that suggests everything is under control, until your eyes catch the dark stain spreading across his shirt, unmistakably blood.

Catching your reflection in the rearview mirror, he offers a small, unsettling smile, his eyes lingering on yours for a moment longer than necessary. “Ah, you’re finally awake, princess,” he says gently. “Did you sleep well?”