The Chains that binds us

Moon – Betrayed and Sold

The cold wind cut through the empty streets as Moon walked toward the meeting spot. The message had been simple:

"I need your help. Please come."

It was from someone she trusted. Someone who had been kind to her in a world that rarely was. So why did her stomach churn with unease?

She clutched her coat tighter, trying to shake off the feeling. Maybe she was just exhausted. Maybe she was overthinking things.

But the moment she stepped into the dimly lit alley where they had asked to meet, she knew—

She had made a mistake.

The scent of damp concrete and cigarette smoke filled the air. A few men stood waiting, their faces shadowed by the flickering streetlight. And in front of them—

The person she trusted.

Moon’s breath hitched. Her voice trembled. "W-What is this?"

They looked away, guilt flashing in their eyes. But guilt wasn’t enough. It wouldn’t save her.

A man stepped forward, his smile sharp, predatory. "Nothing personal, sweetheart. Just business."

Her pulse roared in her ears. She took a step back, but hands grabbed her before she could run. Fingers dug into her arms, yanking her toward them.

She fought. She thrashed. She screamed.

A rough hand clamped over her mouth. The sharp scent of something chemical filled her nose.

Her world blurred.

And then—darkness.

---

Isak – The Name That Burns in His Mind

The sound of a glass shattering against the floor barely registered in Isak’s mind.

He stood frozen, his breath slow and deadly, as Mikhail finished delivering the news.

"She’s been sold."

A muscle ticked in his jaw. His grip tightened around the edge of the table. Sold.

Not just taken. Not just missing.

She had been sold like an object. A thing.

And to him.

The name of the buyer sent something dark and uncontrollable ripping through Isak’s veins. A man he had tolerated for far too long. A man who thrived in the underworld by selling women as if they were nothing but currency.

His men watched him cautiously, waiting for his reaction.

Mikhail spoke carefully. "Isak. We don’t have much time. If we don’t act now—"

The sound of a chair scraping against the floor cut him off.

Isak rose to his feet, his expression unreadable. But beneath the silence, the storm had already begun.

"Find out where she is." His voice was quiet, but it carried the weight of death.

Mikhail nodded. "Already working on it."

Isak turned away, his hands trembling slightly. Why? Why did this matter? Why did she matter?

She was no one to him.

And yet—

The image of her standing on that cliff, smiling through her tears, burned behind his eyes.

Find me.

He exhaled slowly, pressing his fingers against his temple. This wasn’t supposed to happen.

But it was too late now.

Because the moment he heard she was taken, she became his to retrieve.

And those who touched what was his—

Would burn.

---

Moon – Waking Up in Chains

The world was a blur when Moon opened her eyes.

Her head throbbed. Her wrists ached. Something cold and unyielding was wrapped around them—metal.

Cuffs.

Panic clawed at her chest.

She was on the floor of a dimly lit room, her body curled against the cold concrete. The air smelled of sweat, smoke, and something sickly sweet—perfume, maybe. But beneath it all, there was rot.

She wasn’t alone.

A door creaked open. Heavy footsteps approached. A man knelt beside her, his fingers tilting her chin up.

She flinched, and he chuckled. "Good. I like them when they still have fight in them."

Her stomach twisted with nausea.

"You’ll behave, won’t you?" His fingers trailed over her face, and she recoiled. "If not, I have ways of breaking you."

She bit her tongue to keep herself from shaking. She refused to give him the satisfaction.

"Don’t touch me," she whispered.

His smile widened. "Feisty."

And then—his phone rang.

He frowned, standing up and answering it with a curt voice. She couldn’t hear the other side, but the moment he heard the name Isak, his entire demeanor changed.

She saw it—the flicker of fear.

"That bastard found out already?" His voice was tense. "We need to move. Now."

Moon’s heart pounded. Isak?

She didn’t know who he was. She didn’t understand why his name alone sent a ripple of panic through the man in front of her.

But for the first time—she had a sliver of hope.

Someone was coming for her.

And whoever he was—

He was someone they feared.

---

Isak – The Darkness Unleashed

They found the location faster than expected.

Isak sat in the car, his hands resting on his knees, his mind disturbingly calm. The moment they stopped, he stepped out, his men following without question.

The building loomed ahead—a warehouse, hidden in the outskirts of the city.

"How many inside?" he asked.

Mikhail checked his earpiece. "At least fifteen. He’s got extra men. He knows we’re coming."

Good. Let him prepare.

It wouldn’t matter.

Isak adjusted the cuffs of his suit, rolling his shoulders. "I want him alive long enough to regret ever existing."

Mikhail nodded.

And then—

They moved.

The first shot rang out.

Screams followed.

Isak walked through the chaos, his steps slow, measured. Bullets flew. Men fell.