Chapter 3 - The Silent Prisoner
Eli froze as the cold needle pressed through her silk dress.
She looked at her father, desperately trying to communicate with her eyes.
"Nothing is wrong, Daddy," Eli forced herself to say, her voice trembling.
Vanessa smiled brightly and linked her arm through Richard's.
"Just pre-wedding jitters, darling."
"Eli was just telling me how happy she is for us."
Richard beamed, completely blind to the nightmare unfolding right in front of him.
He kissed Vanessa's cheek and walked back inside to finish getting ready.
The moment the door clicked shut, the two security guards grabbed Eli by her arms.
They dragged her away from the ceremony and threw her into a dark storage closet.
Vanessa locked the door from the outside, leaving Eli in complete pitch black.
Eli scrambled to her feet and pounded on the heavy wooden door.
The music outside drowned out her frantic screams for help.
She slumped against the wall, sobbing as she clutched the envelope to her chest.
Suddenly, her phone buzzed in her purse.
The screen illuminated the dark room with a bright glow.
It was a text message from an unknown number.
"Do not trust the best man."
"He is the reason she disappeared."
Eli gasped, staring at the message in pure shock.
May you like
Uncle Marcus, her father's oldest and most trusted friend, was involved too?
Before she could process the betrayal, the handle of the closet door began to slowly turn.
