Elena's POV
I didn't know if it was morning or night.
The lights didn't change. There were no windows. Just a bulb that stayed on—buzzing overhead like it was mocking me.
My body hurt.
Every inch of me ached from the cold, from the ropes, from the crash. But it was the waiting that bruised me the most.
Waiting to be moved again.
Waiting to hear his voice.
Waiting to know why.
The imposter hadn't returned since the last message on the screen.
But I knew he was watching.
The red light in the corner blinked like it had a pulse of its own—slow, steady. My every breath, every twitch of muscle… all recorded.
I didn't scream.
I didn't beg.
I saved my strength.
Because deep down, I knew someone was coming.
Julian.
Callum.
Even Sebastian.
They wouldn't stop.
They couldn't.
Not when they'd seen what this war had already cost.
I leaned my head back against the wall and closed my eyes. Just for a moment. Just to pretend I wasn't here.
But then—
The door opened.
