Husband With Benefits-Chapter 778: Kidnappers (1)

"Sir, we’ve already got teams combing the docks and have issued orders to stop all vehicles and individuals attempting to leave. But... I don’t get it. The ransom has been paid. Why haven’t they given us a location or even arranged for the princess’ release? If it weren’t for the small clue she left behind, we’d still be in the dark. Everything feels off."

"They never planned to let her go, I suspect. At this point, it’s less about their motives and more about tracking down the people behind this. Focus on finding Dora. Every second counts—we’re closing in on ten hours since she was kidnapped. Time is slipping away."

***

Dora shook her head, struggling to stay awake. The hours had dragged on mercilessly. At first, the adrenaline had kept her sharp, her senses hyper-aware of every creak, every shifting shadow in the dimly lit room. But now, her strength was waning, and her body felt like it no longer belonged to her. The evening had already come and gone and now, the only light left was the moonlight filtering through the tiny window. She blinked, trying to concentrate but even that movement was getting heavier and heavier.

Her wrists had been tied too tightly for too long, and she had stopped feeling her hands hours ago. Every small movement made her wince, her muscles protesting after being left in the same position.

Her legs were numb too, tingling with pins and needles, but even the discomfort felt distant, almost irrelevant as her mind drifted in and out of focus. Fatigue was settling in, her thoughts getting foggier by the minute. It was getting harder to stay alert, to resist the heaviness pulling her under.

But she knew she had to. Because if she fainted, then there would really be no hope for her. The kidnappers had probably disappeared by now, if they’d received the money. She knew they were probably not watching her any longer. Maybe she really would need to go and hurl herself at the window. At least that pain might keep her awake or attract attention.

She tried to gulp but her throat was already too dry to be able to do anything else. Even as her eyelids felt too heavy and breathing got too difficult, she vowed to herself," She was not going to let this person go easily. They would pay for it."

Dora’s breath hitched as she shifted her weight, attempting once again to adjust her position, but it only sent another wave of pain shooting through her body. She swallowed a whimper, biting down hard on her lip until she tasted blood. She couldn’t afford to give in—not to the exhaustion, not to the pain. She needed to stay strong, stay awake. Stay alive.

Just as she thought of the words, a thought entered her tired mind... The door...

The kidnappers were not watching her anymore which meant she could try her best for the door...wherever it was.

The man had come from behind her earlier, so the door had to be somewhere in that direction. Slowly, she started to edge her chair backward, the legs scraping against the floo.. Her wrists were bound tightly, but her legs, tied to the chair, screamed with pain as the ropes dug into her skin. Every movement sent fresh jolts of agony up her body, but she bit down hard, refusing to make a sound.

She kept inching back, unsure how far the door was but desperate to make progress. She tried to turn her head to look back and see, but it was too dark. She winced. She’d barely moved back a few paces, when she felt her energy dwindling.

"If I can just hit the door hard enough... maybe someone will hear. Maybe I can get out of this". The idea gave her enough strength to keep going, inch by painful inch.

Her chair suddenly hit something solid. She felt a jolt of excitement. Was it the door? Hurriedly, she moved her hands behind her, trying to make out if it was the door or the wall. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the door. But she refusued to give up hope. She’d reached the wall, now all she had to do move along the wall and feel for the door.

Gathering whatever strength she could muster, she took in a deep breath and started to edge todwards. She thought she could see a sliver of light from under the door but could not be sure. Her only hope and focus was that she would eventually reach the door.

Every inch felt like a marathon, the ropes digging deeper into her ankles, her legs screaming for relief. Soon, for the first time, in her life, Dora started to cry as the helplessness of it seemed to overwhelm her.

She let the tears fall, taking in a moment to process this feeling of helplessness. The last time she had cried like this was when her dogs had died...She reminded herself that she could over come this. That Kael would come for her. He would understand her hint and find her.. But the docks were large. If they had to check the entire place, even if they did it day and night, it might take time... And she wasn’t even sure if she was really in the docks.

Her only hints had been the sound of ship horns blaring outside and the musty-salty-fishy smell in the air in this room.

Finally, she felt the chair catch on something. Her heart leaped, but her hands trembled as they reached back, fingers desperate to feel what she hoped was the doorframe. But instead, they brushed over more rough wall. She groaned, slumping backward in frustration, her head pressing against that very wall. The energy she had left was draining too fast now. She didn’t know how much more of this she could take.

She let out a shaky breath, her body shivering in the cold of the room. She had to keep moving, but her muscles were rebelling against her now, refusing to push any further. She was dangerously close to collapsing entirely. She sighed. "Just one minute... I’ll rest for a minute and then try again..." Dora murmured to herself as she closed her eyes...