Chapter 33- Fear

Lanie's POV:

I woke up in a dark and cold place. I closed my eyes then opened it again.

My head really hurts. That just didn't help the dizziness I was feeling. I blinked my eyes for a few times so I can adjust to my dark sorrounding.

I'm trembling at the cold temperature of whatever this place is. The cold air sent shivered down my spine.

I tried to remember everything that had happened. From the time I went back to school until Gregor punched me in the stomach. I touched my stomach, it was still a little sore. I never thought Gregor could do this, especially when he laid his hands on me. 

I smiled bitterly, I'm really stupid. Because I knew, my stupidity made them do their plan easier. I even approached him. Like he said, I helped him abduct me. 

I shook my head in disbelief. I'm really a fool! I'm here because of my impulsive personality. 

I tried to atleast look around but I could only see pure darkness. I forced myself to move into the cold and wet floor I was thrown to. 

I struggled to find a wall that I could lean on. I tried to think where possibly I am. I first pushed the fear inside me so I can think straight even though it was too hard to do that.

As I try moving, I could only recognize the cold and wet floor. I pushed myself to stand up  I was still amazed when I felt the width of my place was only about three meters. I no longer measured the length because I am too weak to move and I was sure I already knew where I was. 

The ice blocks I found on my right side are further proof of that. It is not alone. I could feel the cold around me. I am surrounded by ice blocks! A lot of ice blocks.

Now, I'm really sure where I am. I'm locked inside a refrigerator truck!

And it looks like anyone who put me in here really plans to freeze me here. Maybe Gregor or someone behind him. Or whoever that be, want me dead.

It's not just the temperature of the truck is too cold. The ice blocks are piled up all over the place. I tried touching any thing but nothing's here except the ice blocks that sorrounds me.

The cold bit me again. If I used to be able to think earlier, now I am swallowed up by fear. 

My calm mood disappeared. Even my fingers are stiff and my cheeks are very cold. I do not know how long I have been here but I am sure I will freeze at any time if I can not get out of here yet.

My breathing became shorter. There is not as much air entering here. Even in this dark place, I'm sure even the slightest vapor was not present in the truck I was in. There's no hole here, even a small one.

I tried to stand up again, I do not know if I will be grateful that I was not tied up like what I watched on television.

After all, there is no difference if my hands and feet are tied to my current situation. I can move freely, but I still have difficulty moving and I am confined here. Still the same. 

I leaned against the wall of the truck. I was shivering from the cold I felt. I had no strength but I still tried to hammer what I was leaning on.

"H-Help!" I screamed my lungs out.

But there is no indication that anyone has heard of my plea. I did not even hear a crack or a sound from outside. 

I slammed the wall and shouted again but I got no answer. I forced myself to move and walk to the other side of the truck even though I could see nothing. It seems impossible but I have to give it a try atleast.

"Ah!" My body stumbled on the cold  and wet floor when I slipped.

I was unable to move immediately to sit or lean. I am too weak. I felt the pain in my body. Even my chills from the cold are no longer normal. 

I can't help but burst into tears. I am so helpless. 

"S-Save me... P-Please... I don't want to die."

My tears flowed nonstop. Even if I don't want to, I feel like I just want to give up. That was an easier choice. 

I am nowhere to be found, and anytime soon I'll die here. My throat is itchy and it hurts too. Some parts of my body are starting to stiffen. It still a miracle that I can still move until now. 

I slowly moved to at least sit down.

I covered my body with my blazer even more to somehow alleviate the cold though it was very impossible then. My hair was a bit damp, so with cold hands I squeezed my hair and loosened it around my neck.

My hands are trembling and freezing, but I was still able to rub my two palms to somehow release heat. When I felt the slight heat it released, I quickly pressed it to my wet and cold cheeks. I did it for a few more times to somehow alleviate the cold I feel. 

I bit my lips as they hardened. I felt like my place is getting colder. It's like the temperature was at it's coolest! If anything I feel colder earlier. 

I was coughing with dryness and sore throat. My insides are too weak to even shoo the cold. Even my mind began to panic.

With so much desperation, I immediatley stood up and hammered the wall again. I won't die here without trying!

"H-Help! Anyone, there's a person inside this truck!" I shouted continuously. I know it's really impossible but I want to live.

I even hammered the truck's wall with my own body. "There's a person inside this truck! H-Help me! Anyone please!"

I know that depleting my energy now will not help my situation. That was further weakened by panic and fear. But once you are in this situation, you can no longer think that. All you want is to get out. To save yourself even it seems so impossible. 

I lost my balance the last time I hit the wall, I fell down again and I cried out when my forehead hit the corner of the big block of ice on my side.

I cried in pain. I could feel the bleeding on the side of my forehead. 

I lost the courage I had accumulated. It was replaced by fear. I am so afraid of the fact that my life may end up here and no one will know that.

I will die here. Alone. 

And that's more than experiencing hell! 

I just want to give up. My throat is a bit itchy. I'm also short of air. Tired, my eyes wandered at my dark place. Not even the slightest light penetrated here.

I smiled bitterly. If I die today because of hyphothermia, I am sure that it won't come out of the investigation. That is if my body will be found. 

I might be like the video I watched. Or maybe even worse from it. Maybe my abductors will just throw my body somewhere gorge or anywhere secluded. And no one will ever see my body. No one will know what happened to me. 

Even though my mind could not accept it, it was slowly sinking into my whole system. My death here was planned from the very beginning. 

I am not here if this is not a flawless plan from the very start. 

With cold hands, I pushed my body upright. I even laughed when I touched the ice block just to balance my body and I don't feel the cold anymore!

It's cold, but I don't feel anything aside from that. Numbness took my whole system. Negativity spread on my whole being.

I just leaned back. I hugged myself and waited for my body to give in to the cold and tiredness. 

And when I was ready to close my eyes then, I heard some noise from the outside. 

I tried to open my eyes but I am too sleepy to do that. My body voluntarily gives in to the cold and exhaustion. I want to sleep and rest.

All I could do was listen to the noise outside. I even heard noises but hell, I'm too tired and sleepy to care what's happening outside!

I felt the violent opening of the big door of the truck where I was staying. Funny, because even with my eyes closed I was dazzled by the light I was sure it came from the flashlight.

"Maelanie!" That husky voice echoed in my ears.

"Maelanie! Open your eyes!" Again, the familiar voice demanded. I felt someone patted my cold cheeks. 

"Yshmael, we need to get out of here!" I heard another familiar voice.

I even felt the removal of my wet blazer and someone made me wear  another one, it was just dry but immediately got wet. Even the warm palms that landed on my cheeks to remove the cold I'm feeling. 

I fought the fatigue, cold and pain of my body. I forced my body to move, and I almost choked when my body complied with my wishes.

"Maelanie, Oh God!" A tight hug greeted me. 

I finally cried when Yshmael's familiar scent enveloped me. For the first time since I was locked here, I felt safe and secured.

Then, I heard voices... and gun shots.

❤