Aliah’s eyes fluttered open, and she was met with the blinding brightness of a midday sun. She groggily tried to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through her back as she realized she was tied to a pole. Panic set in as she struggled against the ropes that bound her wrists and ankles.
As she looked around, Aliah’s confusion turned to horror. The streets were filled with people, all staring at her with morbid curiosity. Some of them pointed, while others snapped photos with their phones. But none of them came forward to help her.
“Where am I?” Aliah shouted, but her voice was hoarse and barely audible over the din of the crowd. She strained against the ropes again, but they only seemed to dig deeper into her skin.
She tried to remember how she’d gotten there, but her memories were hazy. The last thing she remembered was a routine practice at the gym, perfecting her floor exercise for an upcoming competition. But that was hours ago… wasn’t it?
Aliah’s eyes scanned the crowd, searching for any sign of familiarity or concern. Some people looked genuinely distressed, while others seemed entertained by her predicament. A group of teenagers laughed and joked as they took selfies with Aliah bound to the pole in the background.
She tried to recall if she’d been drugged at the gym or on her way home. Had someone slipped something into her drink? But her memories refused to cooperate, leaving only a dull sense of unease.
The hours ticked by at a glacial pace as Aliah was subjected to this public spectacle. Her wrists and ankles throbbed in agony from being bound for so long. Every time she thought about giving up, the sight of the curious onlookers reignited her determination to escape.
But how? The ropes were too tight, and she couldn’t find any weak spots or loose ends. Panic began to set in as Aliah realized she might be stuck there forever.
The sun beat down relentlessly, draining her strength with each passing minute. Aliah’s thoughts turned dark as the crowd continued to gawk at her predicament. Who could have done this? Why were they letting it happen?
As night began to fall, casting a shadow over the pole, Aliah resigned herself to the possibility that she might never escape. The onlookers slowly dispersed, but not before some left mocking messages scrawled on nearby buildings or on her gym bag.
The rope dug deeper into her skin as the darkness closed in around her. Aliah’s eyes stayed fixed on the crowd, waiting for someone – anyone – to come and help her. But the silence was oppressive, and she began to lose hope.
She was left there, bound to a pole, with nothing but the shadows to keep her company.
