Cold concrete. The smell of dust and rust.

That was the first thing you noticed when you woke up.

The second thing was the weight against your arm.

Maya.

Your wrists were cuffed together with cold metal, forcing you to stay close. One wrong movement made the chains clink softly—and both of you froze instantly.

Her eyes were already open.

Wide. Fearful. Glossy with restrained panic.

“They brought us here,” she mouthed silently.

Your heart slammed against your ribs as you slowly lifted your head.

Across the warehouse, half-hidden by flickering shadows, three figures stood perfectly still.

The strangers.

Watching.

Not moving.

Waiting.

Your breath hitched, but you forced yourself to slow it. Panic would get you caught. Panic would end everything.

Maya’s hand trembled in yours. You gently squeezed once.

I’m here.

She swallowed hard and gave the tiniest nod.

One of the masked figures tilted their head slightly—like they were listening.

You both went completely still.

Minutes passed. Maybe longer. Your arms burned from staying frozen in place. Your lungs ached for deeper air. Still, the strangers didn’t move. It was like they were waiting for fear to do the work for them.

Slowly, carefully, you shifted just enough to see the floor around you.

A broken piece of metal lay near your foot.

Hope sparked.

You met Maya’s eyes and subtly nodded toward it. Her breathing staggered for a second, then steadied. She carefully moved her leg—inch by inch—until she nudged the metal closer.

The faintest scrape echoed.

One of the strangers turned their head sharply.

You both froze again.

Your heart was so loud you were sure they could hear it.

Seconds stretched endlessly… then the figure stilled again.

They were playing with you.

You didn’t move.

Not yet.

Finally, when their attention drifted elsewhere, you slowly lowered the metal against the edge of the handcuff.

Barely touching.

Barely scraping.

Maya pressed her forehead to yours, silently bracing herself as you worked.

The sound of the metal against metal was terrifyingly quiet—but still too loud in your ears.

Then—

Click.

The cuff loosened.