Vampire's Veil Of Obsession-Chapter 27: A Desperate Escape

Lilia couldn't believe what she had just heard. Had Zethan really meant what he said? She didn't have time to process it fully—her wide eyes and stunned silence spoke louder than words.

Zethan's chilling laughter cut through her haze, the sound cold and hollow, like shards of ice scraping against stone. He added casually, as if it were an afterthought, "Don't worry. You've got all the time in the world to think. When you're ready, I'll be waiting."

For a moment, her body froze. The weight of his words bore down on her like an unseen force, pinning her to the spot. Then, as if a switch flipped, her instincts kicked in. Without a single word, she turned and shoved the gate open with trembling hands, the creak of the iron hinges echoing into the night. She bolted, her legs carrying her faster than they ever had before.

She didn't look back.

"Just leave," she whispered to herself, the words like a mantra, barely audible over the thudding of her heartbeat.

Her breaths came in ragged gasps, each one burning her lungs, but she didn't care. The cool night air stung her face as she ran, her feet pounding against the uneven ground. Who knew she could run like this? It felt like her body wasn't even her own, as if some primal force had taken over, driving her forward.

Pain shot through her legs, sharp and unrelenting, but she ignored it. The darkness around her seemed alive, shadows shifting and stretching with every flicker of moonlight. Her vision blurred with unshed tears, but she didn't dare slow down.

When she finally reached the road, a glimmer of hope flickered in her chest. The faint glow of streetlights in the distance seemed to promise safety. Her head whipped around, chest heaving, as she scanned the area behind her.

No one was following her.

A bitter smile tugged at her lips. What had she been expecting? For Zethan to chase after her? Of course not. The idea was absurd. If anything, he had looked relieved to see her leave. Maybe he had only entertained her father's request out of obligation, a sense of pity he couldn't hide. After all, Zethan already had a fiancée—or perhaps it was "ex" now—and Lilia? She was no one special.

The thought stung more than it should have, but there was no time to dwell on it.

As she reached the edge of the road, she frantically waved at passing cars, her arms flailing in desperation. The occasional vehicle sped by, its headlights briefly illuminating her tear-streaked face, but none of them stopped. Her heart sank with every rejection, fear clawing at the edges of her mind.

Finally, an old, rusted cab pulled over, its headlights dim and flickering. The driver leaned out of the window, his face weathered and lined with age. His eyes, though tired, held a glimmer of kindness.

"What are you doing out here at this hour, child?" he asked, his voice laced with concern. "It's dangerous. There are drunkards and worse roaming these lonely roads. You shouldn't be out here alone."

Lilia nodded quickly, her voice trembling as she spoke. "Please, take me to the city buildings," she pleaded, barely able to string the words together. Her mind was spinning, and panic threatened to choke her. She didn't even know the names of the cities in her own country, let alone where exactly she wanted to go.

Fumbling with her bracelet, she slid it off her wrist and held it out to the driver. "I... I forgot my cash at my apartment," she lied, her voice cracking. "This is worth thousands of dollars. Please, take it as payment. Just help me get out of here."

The man's eyes widened briefly at the sight of the bracelet, but then he waved it off with a gentle smile. "Keep it, child," he said, shaking his head. "Just get in the car. I'll take you where you need to go."

Relief washed over her, and she whispered, "Thank you," before opening the door and slipping into the back seat.

"No problem," the man said, his tone kind but tinged with pity.

The car's engine hummed as they pulled away from the roadside, the air inside heavy and stagnant. Lilia quickly realized the air conditioner wasn't working, but she didn't care. She sank into the worn seat, her hands clasped tightly in her lap.

The silence stretched on, broken only by the occasional rumble of the car over uneven patches of road. After a while, she spoke, her voice tentative. "Do you live in the city buildings too?"

The man nodded, letting out a soft laugh. "Yes, I do," he said. "I'm not even supposed to be driving right now, but my little daughter, Aimee..." His face softened as he said her name. "She had a birthday wish last week. She wants to attend a private school, and I'm trying to save up to surprise her."

Lilia's chest tightened at his words. She had never given much thought to people like him—ordinary people working tirelessly for their loved ones, sacrificing what little they had. How many wealthy people wasted money without a second thought, money that someone like this man desperately needed?

"I'm sorry," she murmured, her voice heavy with empathy.

The man shook his head, offering her a small, reassuring smile. "It's fine, dear. That's life, isn't it?" He chuckled softly before adding, "I'm a single dad, so I had to drop her off at my sister's place while I work. I couldn't leave her home alone. But I can already imagine the proud look on her face when she finds out she's going to a private school."

His words warmed Lilia's heart despite the turmoil she felt. She couldn't help but smile, her thoughts lingering on Aimee and the love this man clearly had for his daughter.

The drive was long, but Lilia barely noticed. The familiarity of the surroundings reassured her that the man was taking her in the right direction. Landmarks she recognized blurred past the window, and for the first time in hours, she allowed herself a sliver of relief.

Then the engine sputtered.

The car jolted slightly before slowing to a complete stop. Lilia's stomach dropped as the man muttered under his breath, steering the vehicle to the side of the road.

"Oh my goodness... oh my," he said, his tone exasperated. Turning to her with an apologetic smile, he added, "Silly me. I forgot to refuel. I've been so focused on my little Aimee that I didn't even realize the tank was empty."

Lilia's initial frustration gave way to a wave of sympathy. Before she could say anything, the man let out a sudden laugh—a loud, unsettling sound that made her freeze.

"Oh, little Aimee... my little Aimee," he muttered, his voice taking on an eerie tone.

Lilia's heart began to race as the man laughed again, this time louder, the sound hollow and unnatural.

"How's my story?" he asked suddenly, his laughter echoing in the stillness of the night. "Was it pitiful enough for you?"

Her breath caught in her throat as a chill ran down her spine. The kindness in his eyes was gone, replaced by something dark and predatory.

"No," she whispered to herself, shaking her head. "This can't be happening."

The man licked his chapped, cracked lips, his gaze crawling over her from head to toe. A slow, deliberate wink followed, and Lilia's stomach churned violently.

"I must say," he drawled, his voice thick and mocking, "your beauty is... rare. Look at that shape of yours—more like the kind that could outshine any model."

Her body trembled as his words sank in.

"Let me guess," he continued, leaning closer. "You're one of those rich brats who runs away from home, thinking you can live out some silly dream. Trying to 'find yourself,' huh? Meanwhile, your parents have already given you everything you could ever need."

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The man opened his door slowly, the hinges creaking as he stepped out of the driver's seat. He shut the door behind him with a soft, deliberate click, his movements slow and calculated. Then he opened the passenger door, where she was sitting, his grin widening as he looked down at her.

"Oh," he said, almost as though he'd forgotten something important, his voice dripping with mock innocence. "There's fuel—it's full! Come on, did you really think there was no fuel?" he bellowed, his laughter echoing in the still night. The sound hung in the air, thick and oppressive.

But it wasn't just his laughter that filled her ears. The stench of his breath hit her like a wave—sour, rancid, and overpowering. It made her stomach churn, nausea rising fast and sharp. She fought the overwhelming urge to gag, her body trembling violently as the smell curled around her senses.

Her eyes, wide with fear, darted frantically around the car. She was looking for anything, anything at all that she could use to defend herself. And then, there it was—the seatbelt. Without a second thought, she yanked it free, the strap snapping out of its holder with a sharp sound.

Her hands were shaking, but she gripped the metal buckle tight, her fingers pressing into the cold steel, using it as a makeshift weapon. Her breath hitched in her chest as she drew it back, summoning every ounce of strength she had.

With a deep breath, she swung the buckle toward his head. The impact was sickening, a loud thud that rang through the still air. He groaned, clutching his head in pain, his body staggering backward. The seatbelt scraped across his chest as he stumbled, his momentary vulnerability clear.

"B*tch" he cursed

Lilia didn't waste a second. Her heart pounded in her chest, each beat like a drum. She shoved the door open and fled. Her legs moved before her mind could catch up, her body reacting in a blur of panic. She didn't know where she was going—only that she had to get away.

Tears streamed down her face, the cold air biting at her skin as she ran into the darkness. Her breath came in ragged gasps, the fear and desperation choking her throat.

How had it come to this? How had she ended up here?

And then, in the overwhelming grip of panic, she whispered something she never thought she would—her voice barely more than a breath.

"Z... Zethan, please... help me."