1 The Chase

"No, no, no! I can't die like this! I still want to live! I can't die! I can't!"

Never did Anastasia think that a typical delivery day would take a sinister turn.

"Please, somebody help me! Anyone, please! Please help me!"

Try as she might, but calling for rescue is futile. Shouting isn't getting her anywhere, and because of that, breathing for air has only become more laborious.

Her legs are already aching from all the running she did. Just like the beads of sweat that are streaming down her forehead, her tears also begin to burst forth like water from a dam.

Anastasia isn't supposed to be in a life-and-death situation right now. After all, she was just going by her daily routine like she always did.

Everyday, she helps out in her parents' bakery by delivering breads in their stead. She hops from one house to another, riding on a bicycle that serves as her only companion whenever she does so.

Unfortunately, today has turned out to be not her typical delivery day.

"I don't know what they need from me. We're not even rich. Why are they chasing after me like this?!"

What made it take a horrendous twist was the appearance of these kidnappers in black suit.

Seconds of running turn into minutes of wishful thinking. No one seems to be coming. She's all alone in that caliginous alley, desperately searching for the end of this nightmarish tunnel.

As soon as she reaches a dead end, she knows that she's already done for. The huge chunk of blocks that came into view had her cornered, completely ensnared into an imperceptible trap of an unascertained predator.

"Don't move. Just where did you think you're going?" one of them snarled while she only returned a spiteful scowl.

"Away from you, I guess."

Unlike the fact that she's now helplessly backed into a corner, Anastasia never backs down without a fight.

She will even climb up this wall if she has to. She will definitely get out of this place. She'll live and go back home. She'll kiss her parents goodnight later.

She'll go to school on the next day and graduate on the following year. She'll go to a university and be a dashing college student. She will even confess to her crush despite her hundred failed attempts to do so -

Or so she thought.

Before Anastasia knows it, the man already has his hands on her. Then, in the blink of an eye, everything goes pitch black as she loses consciousness.

---

"Ughhh..."

Groaning, Anastasia starts to stir awake from her slumber, weakly thrashing her body around. She tries to roll over but to no avail.

Solid only crashes on solid. The space around her appears to be cramped and narrow. It's just big enough for her small figure to fit in.

Then, ever so delicately, her eyes flutter open like the wings of a butterfly, but instead of the warm and mellow daylight hues of spring, she is greeted by coal darkness that seems to resemble the end of an abyss.

"What the...?"

First time waking up and Anastasia is already dumbfounded.

Dumbfounded that she can't remember a single thing.

Dumbfounded that she can't move an inch.

And most of all, she's immensely dumbfounded by one appalling realization.

"Is this a coffin?!"

All this time, Anastasia has been lying inside a coffin with her body drowning in a pool of scentless roses.

She begins to freak out as she moves around, hands flailing everywhere in panic. But then, she didn't expect that a single punch on the lid would cause it to crack almost instantly.

Now, a huge veering line has formed on its surface, paving way for a streak of light. It takes a few seconds for her eyes to adjust to this sudden brightness.

As soon as she can finally see properly again, she goes straight for the kill and smashes the wooden lid.

"Seriously, where on earth am I?" Anastasia wondered out loud, immediately scanning around her surroundings right after stepping out of the coffin.

The first thing that comes into view is this palatial-like room with dainty porcelains and luxurious chandeliers hanging all over a grandiose ceiling. Its alabaster wall interior is as white as snow, and everything around her is simply exquisite.

"You're awake?" a husky, masculine voice questioned all of the sudden. Along with that is the sound of approaching footsteps.

Then, she freezes.

Caught off guard, Anastasia slowly turns to his direction. Standing by the doorway at the moment is an unfamiliar man dressed in black.

She can make out his lean figure, unkempt light brown hair that seems to shine a brilliant golden honey luster once streaked by light, and deep crimson irises that glisten with an enigmatic emotion.

But then, for some reason, the rest of his frame doesn't seem to register in her head. He appears hazy and inscrutable, almost like a spectre.

"Don't move. I'll go there."

At that, Anastasia finds herself thunderstruck all of the sudden. A certain memory just flashed through her mind like a strike of lightning - the image of a man in black chasing after her.

Recalling that bloodcurdling scene makes her head throb as her entirety suddenly feels like a ticking time bomb. She can't help but screech in pain, and before she knows it, she's starting to break out into a cold sweat. At this point, she's even close to hyperventilating.

For an unknown cause, looking at this unfamiliar guy in front of her makes her think that she should be anywhere else but here.

Anastasia doesn't know what's going on nor does she remember what happened before this encounter. Yet, her instinct is telling her to flee at once. It's telling her to escape this place and to avoid this shady person like a plague.

Then, with that, Anastasia finds herself running for her life once again.