- By Sameen Shakeel
WHEN THE WORLD FADES
By Sameen Shakeel
I woke up with a pounding headache, my head throbbing so hard that it felt like my skull was going to split open. I blinked my eyes a few times, trying to clear my blurred vision. The place where I found myself was dark and cold, with only a faint light filtering in through a small, dirty glazed window.
My body was aching all over, and I could taste blood on my lips.
My mind struggled to piece together what had happened, but then a sharp pain shot through my head, and a vivid flashback rushed in.
My village, a peaceful little town called Lindenbrook, was under attack by the Russian Mafia. The air was thick with smoke and cries of fear.
Gunshots rang out, and flames danced across the rooftops. I could hear people screaming and fades as they tried to flee the chaos. Then the masked men appeared, dragging away children and other villagers.
The fear and panic I felt were overwhelming as I was captured along with the others.
The memory fades, leaving me with a knot in my stomach and a racing heart. I needed to escape. I had no choice.
I forced myself to my feet, ignoring the pain in my leg, and glanced around at the small cell. There were no restraints on me, which was a small relief, but I could still hear footsteps and the cries of other children nearby. Men were dragging them away, their voices cold and cruel.
“The order came in yesterday,” I overheard one of them, his voice low and rough.
“They need six kidneys and three livers. That buyer’s offering a good price for fresh organs on the black market.”
My stomach churned as I tried to process the chilling conversation. My worst fears were confirmed.
My thoughts raced, and one word echoed in my mind: human trafficking.
I had to get out of here before I became a part of this horrific trade. My eyes landed on the small window fades , and a glimmer of hope sparked within me. It was my only chance to escape.
I slammed my elbow against the dirty glass, pain shooting through my arm as the window shattered. Ignoring the sharp cuts and the blood trickling down my skin, I pushed my way through the opening and tumbled out of the cell. The shock of sunlight blinded me for a moment, but I didn’t hesitate. I had to run.
I stumbled forward, my injured leg slowing me down, but I pushed myself as fast as I could, my only goal being to get as far away as possible. My breaths came in ragged gasps, and my vision swam with pain and exhaustion. But then my hopes were shattered when a bullet pierced my ankle. I screamed in pain and fell to the ground, clutching my foot.
Two figures appeared before me, their outlines blurred by the sunlight in my eyes. I tried to see them clearly, but I couldn’t. One of them spoke, his voice cold and menacing.
“You never should have tried to outrun the Bratva’s Devil, Harry.”
My eyes widened, almost bulging out of their sockets, when I saw a face all too familiar.
“Uncle?”
I coughed out with the little life left in me. The betrayal washed over me, drowning me in fright and leaving me baffled.
“Why?” I croaked, my voice nothing but a mere whisper.
“Your father should’ve let me be the tribal chief when I asked him nicely. Now let him suffer the consequences at the hands of his own son.”
The words rang in my ears as I realized my fate was sealed. I tried to fight against the pain and the darkness closing in, but I knew it was too late. The world around me fades, and I accepted what was to come.
“ When the devil wears a familiar face, trust becomes a lethal gamble.”
