Zaira
I slowly opened my eyes, my head spinning as I tried to gain consciousness. When I finally focused, I realized I was lying on the floor. Panic quickly enveloped me as I felt a tight grip around my arms. Gasping, I looked around the room in desperation.
Thick glass windows lined the walls, and the space was cluttered with old paintings, worn-out tables, and a damaged piano. It became clear—I was in an attic.
I struggled against my restraints, searching for anything sharp that could help me escape. Suddenly, I heard footsteps approaching.
Keep calm. Keep calm.
"Oh, you're awake," a familiar voice echoed through the room.
My eyes widened in disbelief as she stepped closer, revealing herself.
"Secretary Shin?" I whispered, horrified.
At that moment, a memory from the inventory room flashed before me—I had seen her pen there, the one she always used.
"Hello, Zaira," she greeted me, crossing her arms with a cold smile.
"W-why? You're the robber?" I stammered, trying to make sense of it all.
"I am," she confirmed, her voice steady and without remorse.
"Sorry you got dragged into this—it was a last-minute decision," she said, her voice oddly calm.
"I don't have to explain everything, but once I'm done here, at least you'll be at peace." Her words sent a chill down my spine as I realized just how serious the situation was. The ropes around my wrists were so tight I couldn't even move.
"I need Ackerman's vials—for money," she admitted, sighing as she dragged a chair towards me. She straddled it backward, facing me directly.
"You wouldn't understand, Zaira. Married life is... complicated," she said.
Her voice wavered slightly as she continued, "I stole the first two medications because my son was sick. And my husband... he's having an affair because I can't bear another child."
My heart ached as I listened, but fear still gripped me. 
She sighed again. "Those medications were crucial. My child is safe now, and with these vials, maybe having another baby is possible."
"Why didn't you ask Thorne for help?" I managed to ask, trying to keep my voice steady.
"Because Thorne is selfish. He wouldn't give me what I need. I've known him long enough to understand that," she replied, bitterness seeping into her tone.
I swallowed hard, trying to keep the panic at bay. "W-what are you going to do with me then?" I asked, my voice trembling despite my efforts to stay calm.
Her eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, she just stared, as if weighing her options. 
"Of course, I can't let you go," she said, her voice cold and calculating. "But you could come with me. I saw you mix those vials with Arthur—you’re smart, and you have the skills I need."
"You're crazy," I spat. "Even if you ran away, you can’t sell those vials. They're limited and traceable. You’ll end up behind bars."
Her sweet demeanor vanished, replaced by something much darker. Her smile twisted into something cruel, and I could feel her malevolent energy fill the room. My heart raced, but I forced myself to stay calm.
"That's why the black market exists," she said, her voice disturbingly calm.
"You won't get away with this," I said, trying to sound confident.
She chuckled softly. "I've planned this down to the last detail, dear. I can get away with anything I want."
My wrists throbbed from the tight ropes, but I noticed a slight looseness. I kept struggling discreetly, hoping she wouldn’t notice.
"Now, make your choice," she said, her eyes cold and unfeeling. "Come with me, or die."
I swallowed hard, my mind racing as I weighed my options.
Secretary Shin walked forward, her hand subtly reaching for a dagger at her waist. The sight of the blade sent a wave of panic through me, and suddenly, a flood of memories hit—fire, chaos, the flash of blades, and distant cries. My breathing quickened as the dagger in her hand grew closer and closer, the cold steel gleaming in the dim light.
Just then, a baby’s cry echoed through the house, cutting through the tension like a knife. Secretary Shin paused, her eyes flicking toward the sound. For a brief moment, her icy composure faltered, and she sighed, turning away from me.
“I want your decision when I get back,” she said coldly, before slipping the dagger back into its sheath and leaving the room. The door shut behind her, leaving me alone with my racing heart and the loosening ropes around my wrists.
"Keep calm, Zaira," I whispered to myself.
Despite the tears threatening to spill, I knew I had to focus. Ignoring the sharp pain, I worked to free my hands, wincing as the ropes dug into my skin, leaving scratches and drawing a little blood. But I didn’t care. All that mattered was getting out.
I got up and tried to open one of the windows, but it was stuck—I felt a surge of panic when I saw only trees surrounding the place. It was isolated. I hurried to another window, but it wouldn’t budge either. 
Footsteps echoed from the hallway, growing louder as they approached the attic. My heart pounded in my chest as I scrambled to hide inside a cabinet filled with creepy, damaged dolls. I grabbed a stick from the corner, gripping it tightly as my only means of defense.
When Shin entered the attic, I covered my mouth and held my breath. Her gasps filled the room as her footsteps grew heavier, closer. She started checking cabinets, peering into every possible hiding spot. My pulse quickened, and I squeezed my eyes shut, willing myself to stay calm.
She paused right in front of the cabinet where I was hiding. I froze, barely daring to breathe, as she reached for the dolls that concealed me. Just then, a piece of wood clattered to the floor across the room, startling her. She spun around to investigate the noise.
Seizing the moment, adrenaline surged through me as I burst from my hiding spot and swung the stick with all my strength, hitting her from behind. The impact was loud, and I watched in shock as Secretary Shin crumpled to the floor, unconscious. The stick slipped from my trembling hands, clattering to the ground.
With my mind clouded by panic, I rushed to the attic door, locking it behind me before cautiously making my way downstairs, every step calculated, every noise sending a jolt through my nerves. I had to find a way out of this place before anyone else found me.
As I cautiously turned a corner, I was startled by the sight of a three-year-old boy in a crib, watching me curiously. I tried to ignore him and head for the exit, but suddenly, he began screaming in loud cries, sending a wave of panic through me. 
My heart raced as I turned back to him, frantically scanning the room until I spotted his bottle. Desperate to quiet him, I picked it up and handed it to him, trying to soothe his cries. 
Once he was silent, I seized the moment to search for the exit-but the house was like a maze, with no clear way out.
Suddenly, the sound of a door slamming echoed through the house. My pulse quickened, and I sprinted towards the kitchen, ducking into one of the cabinets to hide. Footsteps grew louder, and I held my breath as I heard her voice.
"Come out, Zaira, you can't find the exit here, " Secretary Shin called out, her voice filled with a cold certainty. I even heard the child giggle, oblivious to the tension.
"Let's talk!" she shouted. "I won't hurt you, I'll even forgive you for what you did to me."
Her footsteps grew closer and closer, until suddenly, the cabinet doors were flung open. I screamed as I saw her standing there. In a panic, I pushed her away, grabbing the nearest object and hitting her over the head. Blood trickled down her forehead, but she just smiled darkly.
I frantically threw anything I could find-pans, pots-trying to keep her away. My eyes darted to the counter, where a knife gleamed under the dim light. I snatched it up, pointing it at her with trembling hands.
"Stay back!" I tried to sound strong, but my voice shook with fear.
She chuckled as she slowly rose from the floor, unbothered by the blood dripping down her face. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a window-the only possible escape.
"Zaira, come work for me," she said, her tone eerily calm. "You can sell the vials that I stole from Ackerman. You're smart, aren't you? You could be rich, have a better life with me."
I held the knife steady, refusing to let her get any closer. "I warned you!" I hissed, my fear giving way to a desperate resolve.
Her lips curled into a sinister smile as she grabbed a kitchen knife from a nearby table. "I'm sorry, kid, but I don't give any more chances."
In an instant, she lunged at me, her knife flashing in the dim light. I yelped as she slashed my arm, pain radiating through me. I dodged her attacks, throwing everything within reach to slow her down. A heavy pan connected with her, sending her stumbling back.
Seizing the opportunity, I grabbed a heavy object and smashed the window. Glass shattered everywhere, jagged spikes threatening any escape. But I had no choice-I had to get out. I eyed the boiling kettle on the stove. Ignoring the searing heat, I grabbed it and hurled it at her. Her scream pierced the air as the scalding water splashed over her.
With no time to lose, I climbed through the broken window, wincing as glass shards sliced into my arm and leg. I hit the ground hard, pain shooting through my body as I rolled to a stop. I groan in pain my ankle throbbed, swollen and likely sprained, but I forced myself to move, dragging myself into the shadows.
I spotted a small barn not far from the house. Gritting my teeth against the pain, I limped towards it, hiding among the hay bales inside. My breath came in ned gasps as I tried to calm down, praying she wouldn't find me.
I stayed crouched in the shadows of the barn, my heart pounding in my chest. Tears blurred my vision as I peeked out, praying that Secretary Shin had finally left. 
Just as I thought I was safe, my pulse spiked again—I saw her, standing there like a total psycho, her eyes fixed on me.
"You think you can run from me?" she hissed, her voice low and menacing.
Panic surged through me. I stepped back, only to stumble and fall as my injured ankle buckled beneath me. I gasped, unable to find the strength to move.
"Please..." The word barely escaped my lips, more a desperate whisper to the night than a plea she would ever heed.
"I'm sorry, kid. You're just so unfortunate," she muttered coldly, Secretary Shin's eyes gleamed in the moonlight as she approached, the dagger in her hand catching the light.
I closed my eyes, bracing for my end. The cold fear gripped me, and I waited for the fatal strike. But then, I heard  a dull thud in front of me. Cautiously, I opened one eye, then the other, my breath catching in my throat. Secretary Shin lay unconscious on the ground before me. 
Confused and still trembling, I looked up, and my gaze locked onto a tall, muscular silhouette.For a moment, I thought death itself had come to claim me, but as I slowly looked up.
The figure stepped closer, and in the pale moonlight, I saw his raven eyes, slightly messy hair, and the familiar outline of his button-up shirt. My body relaxed at the sight, my tears falling even faster now.
"Professor..." I whispered, my voice cracking as my emotions overwhelmed me.
He didn't say a word. In a single fluid motion, he was by my side, pulling me into his arms. His embrace was firm yet gentle, and his familiar leather scent surrounded me, grounding me in the chaos.
I clung to him, my tears flowing freely now. All the fear, the terror, the sheer exhaustion of it all poured out of me as I buried my face in his chest. My hands trembled uncontrollably, but he held me tight, his hand gently stroking my hair.
"Shhh," he whispered softly into my ear. His voice was like a balm, soothing the raw edges of my fear.
"You're safe now... I've got you."
His words were a lifeline, and I held onto them with everything I had. The warmth of his embrace and the steadiness of his presence made me feel, for the first time that night, that everything would be okay.
"I'm here," he murmured, his breath warm against my ear. "You're safe with me. I won't let anything happen to you.”