Bound by Debt

1

Sofia loved the warm summer nights in Italy. The air was thick with the scent of fresh basil and garlic, and the streets of her hometown, a small but vibrant town on the coast, hummed with the chatter of late-night revelers. It was the kind of place where everyone knew everyone, and nothing ever really felt dangerous. At least, that's how Sofia thought it was.

Her friends Angelo, Adriano, Alessia, and Andrea were still sitting inside the restaurant, enjoying the best meal they had had in weeks. The atmosphere was lively, the kind of energy that made Sofia feel like she was exactly where she was supposed to be. But as much as she loved her friends, she needed a moment alone. A break from the laughter, from the chatter, from everything.

She slipped out the door and into the cool night air, letting the city sounds fade as she stepped to the side of the building. The restaurant was tucked on a quieter street, the kind of place that felt private but not isolated. A perfect spot for a smoke.

Sofia pulled out a cigarette and lit it with a practiced flick of her wrist. The soft glow of the ember illuminated her face, casting a shadow that made her look older than her twenty-three years. She took a deep drag, her eyes scanning the street, half-lost in thought.

"You shouldn't be out here alone at this hour."

The voice startled her. Sofia turned sharply, dropping the cigarette in surprise. A man was standing just a few feet away, his eyes shadowed by the brim of a dark hat. He was tall, his figure cloaked in a long coat that seemed out of place for the warm night. But it wasn't his appearance that made her uneasy; it was the way he looked at her like he knew something she didn't.

Sofia narrowed her eyes, irritation creeping up her spine. She hadn't been in the mood for a conversation, especially with someone who seemed so... strange.

"Excuse me?" she said, her voice sharper than she intended.

"I said," he repeated, stepping closer, his tone cold and stern, "you shouldn't be out here alone at this hour. It's dangerous for a girl like you."

Sofia raised an eyebrow, rolling her eyes. Who the hell did this guy think he was?

"Dangerous? I'm literally standing outside a restaurant, pal," she retorted, a smirk playing on her lips. "Not exactly a dark alley, is it?"

The man didn't smile, didn't flinch. His expression remained unreadable, and for a split second, Sofia felt a chill run down her spine. But she shrugged it off. She was used to weirdos, and she didn't have time for this nonsense.

"Doesn't matter," he said, his voice hardening. "You should still be careful. People like you don't know what's out here."

Sofia's eyes rolled again, her patience running thin. She was tired of these random, judgmental encounters, especially when she was just trying to have a quiet moment. She didn't owe this guy anything.

"I'll be fine," she said dismissively. "Now, if you don't mind, I'm just going to—"

Before she could even finish her sentence, she felt something hard strike her head. The impact was so sudden, so sharp, that her vision blurred instantly. She stumbled back, a ringing in her ears overtaking everything else.

Her body hit the ground with a sickening thud, and for a moment, she thought the world had stopped. The pain was intense, radiating from her skull, and she couldn't focus. Her limbs felt heavy, unresponsive. She tried to stand, but her vision swam. It felt like the night had swallowed her whole.

Through the haze, she saw him. The man, standing over her, his hand gripping a stone. Her heart raced, but before she could scream, he moved fast—too fast. He knelt down, grabbed her by the arm, and hauled her up, dragging her toward the street. Sofia's mind screamed in panic, but her body wouldn't cooperate. The world around her was spinning.

"Let go of me!" she tried to shout, but her voice barely made it past her lips. Her legs buckled under her weight, but he was strong, pulling her effortlessly toward a darkened black car parked at the side of the road.

She saw the sleek, expensive-looking vehicle, but it felt like a nightmare she couldn't wake from. She struggled, but the man was relentless, his grip tightening as he shoved her into the back of the car.

Sofia's breath hitched as she realized what was happening. She was being abducted. Her eyes darted around, her heart pounding in her chest, but all she could see were men. Masked men, cloaked in black, sitting in the seats surrounding her. The air in the car was thick, suffocating. She could barely breathe, let alone think.

Her body was numb, but her mind was racing, full of fear and confusion. Where were they taking her? What did they want?

A voice, deep and cold, came from the man closest to her.

"Shut the fuck up," he growled, his words sending a jolt of fear through her.

Before Sofia could react, she felt something hard and cold press against her head. The man with the voice raised his arm, and in a swift motion, struck her across the temple with the weapon in his hand.

Pain exploded behind her eyes, and just like that, everything went black.