Locked In His World

Chapter 3: Locked In His World

I shouldn’t go.

Every instinct in my body screamed it the moment I stepped into my apartment. The note was still clutched tightly in my hand, crumpled from how hard I’d been holding it.

Tonight.

The word echoed in my head like a warning.

“No,” I whispered, pacing back and forth. “I’m not going.”

I wouldn’t.

I couldn’t.

But even as I said it…

I knew.

He wasn’t asking.

—

The hours dragged painfully slow.

I tried everything—TV, music, scrolling endlessly on my phone—but nothing distracted me for long. Every little sound made my heart jump.

The ticking clock.

The wind against the window.

My own breathing.

And then—

8:59 PM.

My chest tightened.

“No… no, I’m not doing this.”

9:00 PM.

A knock.

My entire body froze.

Three slow, deliberate knocks.

Not loud.

Not rushed.

Just… certain.

Like he already knew I was there.

Like he knew I’d answer.

I didn’t move.

Another knock.

My breath came out shaky.

“Go away…” I whispered, though my voice barely existed.

Silence.

For a moment, I thought—

Maybe he left.

Maybe—

“Open the door.”

My eyes widened.

His voice.

Low.

Calm.

Right on the other side.

“I know you’re inside.”

My heart slammed against my ribs.

“Please… just leave me alone,” I said, louder this time.

A pause.

Then—

“No.”

The word was soft.

But final.

My fingers curled into fists.

I couldn’t keep doing this.

Couldn’t keep hiding.

Slowly… hesitantly… I walked toward the door.

Each step felt like walking toward something irreversible.

I stopped in front of it.

My hand hovered over the handle.

Don’t do it.

Don’t—

I opened it.

And there he was.

Standing there like he belonged.

Dark clothes.

Dark eyes.

Dark intentions.

“You took your time,” he said casually.

Anger flared inside me.

“I told you to leave.”

“And I told you I wouldn’t.”

I stepped back instinctively as he walked in without permission, closing the door behind him with a quiet click.

“Stop doing that!” I snapped. “You can’t just come into my apartment!”

He turned to face me, tilting his head slightly.

“I can.”

“No, you—”

“You don’t understand yet,” he interrupted calmly.

A chill ran down my spine.

“Understand what?” I demanded.

His gaze softened.

Not kindly.

But… possessively.

“That you don’t get to decide things like that anymore.”

My breath caught.

“What does that even mean?”

“It means,” he said, stepping closer, “you’re part of my world now.”

I backed up immediately.

“No. I’m not part of anything. I don’t even know you!”

“You will.”

“I don’t want to!”

He smiled.

Like that didn’t matter.

“You don’t have to want it.”

My stomach twisted.

This wasn’t normal.

This wasn’t okay.

“I’m calling the police,” I said quickly, reaching for my phone.

I didn’t even get the chance.

In a second—

He was in front of me.

His hand wrapping around my wrist again, stopping me.

Too fast.

Way too fast.

“You won’t,” he said quietly.

“Let go of me!”

I struggled, but it was useless.

He didn’t even look strained.

“You’re shaking,” he murmured.

“I’m scared of you!”

His eyes darkened.

“Good.”

The word hit me like ice.

“You should be.”

I froze.

That wasn’t reassuring.

That wasn’t comforting.

That was—

“I don’t hurt what’s mine,” he added softly.

“There you go again!” I snapped. “I’m not yours!”

Silence.

Then—

His grip tightened slightly.

Not enough to hurt.

But enough to warn.

“You keep saying that,” he said.

A pause.

Then his voice dropped lower.

“But you still opened the door.”

My breath stopped.

I…

I didn’t have an answer.

Because he was right.

And that terrified me more than anything.

He let go of my wrist slowly this time.

Like he didn’t need to hold me anymore.

Like he knew I wouldn’t run.

“I didn’t come here to argue,” he continued.

“Then why are you here?” I demanded.

“To take you.”

My heart dropped.

“What—?”

Before I could react—

He grabbed my hand again.

And this time—

He didn’t wait.

He pulled me toward the door.

“Wait—stop! What are you doing?!” I panicked, trying to resist.

But he was stronger.

Faster.

Unstoppable.

“Let me go!” I shouted.

“No.”

The door opened.

Cold air rushed in.

“Someone will see!”

“I don’t care.”

Fear exploded inside me.

“Please!” I begged. “Don’t do this!”

For a moment—

He paused.

His grip still firm.

His back still turned to me.

And I thought—

Maybe…

Maybe he’d listen.

But then he glanced over his shoulder.

And the look in his eyes—

It wasn’t hesitation.

It was certainty.

“You’re safer with me,” he said quietly.

And then—

He pulled me out.

—

The car was black.

Of course it was.

Everything about him screamed dark.

Dangerous.

Unavoidable.

He opened the passenger door and pushed me inside before I could react.

“Stay,” he said.

Like I was something to be controlled.

The door slammed shut.

I scrambled immediately, reaching for the handle—

Locked.

Of course.

“Let me out!” I yelled, pounding against the glass.

He got in the driver’s seat calmly.

Unbothered.

Like this was routine.

Like I was expected.

“This is kidnapping!” I shouted.

“Yes.”

My breath hitched.

He didn’t even deny it.

“You can’t just—”

“I can,” he cut in, starting the engine.

The car roared to life.

“Stop the car!”

“No.”

Panic clawed at my chest.

“Please…”

My voice broke.

For the first time—

I wasn’t angry.

I was terrified.

He glanced at me briefly.

And for a second…

Something flickered in his eyes.

Something almost gentle.

But it disappeared just as quickly.

“You’ll get used to it,” he said.

“I don’t want to!”

“You will.”

Tears burned in my eyes.

I turned away, pressing myself against the door as far as I could.

The city lights blurred past outside.

Faster.

Further.

Away.

Away from everything I knew.

Everything safe.

Everything mine.

“Where are you taking me?” I whispered.

A pause.

Then—

“Home.”

My heart sank.

Because somehow…

I knew.

He didn’t mean mine.

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