when sky forgot my name

Chapter 10 –

POV: Lyra

"Ugh... my head."

It feels like a hammer is slamming inside my skull.

I try to lift my eyelids, but they're heavy… too heavy. My arms won't move.

Then reality slaps me in the face.

I'm not in my bed.

I'm not even in my home.

I'm tied up—in the back of a van.

Panic rises in my chest like a tsunami. My wrists are already bound tight, and now—they're tying my legs too.

Think, Lyra. Breathe. Pretend you're unconscious.

I press my eyes shut and let my body go limp, ignoring the burning ache in my temple.

Then I hear it.

"Yeah boss, the girl's in the van. She didn't scream—probably fainted."

"What did he say?" another voice asks, rough and close.

"He said… 'Don't kill her. Just bring her to the base. I want her alive.'"

"Alive? Why?"

"Heh. Maybe he wants to keep her as a souvenir. You've seen her—rich, spoiled, and damn gorgeous."

"Tch. Wish we had more time before handing her over…"

Laughter. Sick, twisted laughter.

I want to throw up.

Who the hell is "he"?

Why does he want me alive?

Then something worse happens.

One of them leans close—his hands crawling up my thigh.

I freeze.

His fingers dig into my skin like I'm some possession. Another hand joins him. I can't hold it anymore—I thrash, pushing their hands away.

"Well, well... looks like the princess is awake," one hisses with a grin.

"You've got fire in you. I like that."

"What do you want from me?!" I scream, voice cracking.

"You'll find out soon enough," he chuckles, brushing my hair back.

"STOP TOUCHING ME!" I yell, tears blurring my vision.

The man beside me clamps a black cloth over my eyes.

from a small hole of black cloth 

Just for a second, I see silver piercings glint on his eyebrow and lip. A looped ring on the left. That detail sears into my memory.

"Let's see how you scream now." one of them say.

I twist, kick, beg—but the blindfold goes on. I'm plunged into darkness.

Their hands are still moving, creeping, grabbing—and then—

Lips. On mine.

Not mine by choice. Not consented.

He forces a kiss on me, holding the back of my head while the others cheer him on like savages.

"LET ME GO! YOU MONSTER—GET AWAY FROM ME!"

"Damn, she bites too," one of them laughs.

I'm shaking. Crying. Choking. The cloth on my face is now soaked in my tears.

But something shifts… my hand. The rope—it's looser.

I tug. Twist. Desperately.

And finally—the knot gives.

I snap my hand free and punch him in the face with all my strength. He stumbles back, cursing.

I rip the blindfold off.

Every man in the van is masked—.

"Don't come closer," I growl, backing away. "Or I swear—"

"Or you'll what?" he smirks. "We already own you, darling."

"You own NOTHING!" I roar and twist, elbowing one behind me.

The one behind me tries to grab me—but I lurch to my feet. He only manages to tear the back half of my dress. My skin burns from the exposure, but I don't stop.

Someone grabs my wrist. I swing my elbow again—hard.

Another tries to hold my leg—I slam my heel into his shin.

Chaos erupts inside the van.

I lunge for the door—it's moving fast, too fast—but I jump.

I don't think.

I don't breathe.

I just jump.

Pain slams through my body as I hit the road, tumbling like a ragdoll.

I hear a horn. Then headlights.

A car swerves. Screams. Then…

Black.

AT : Eden-Crest Hospital – Unknown Safehouse

When I open my eyes, the world is white.

My leg is in a cast. My arms—bandaged. My entire body feels like it's been through a war.

I'm wearing a long black coat, soft and warm. The air smells of lilies. This room… it's too fancy for a hospital. More like a luxury suite.

A nurse appears.

"Oh good, you're awake, Miss Vale."

"Where… where am I?" I croak.

"In a Eden-Crest hospital. A gentleman brought you here. He also donated blood."

"Did he say his name?"

"No, ma'am. He left immediately after making sure you were stable."

Who are you…? I wonder.

"When can I leave?"

"You'll need a week. Your leg is fractured. And your body… needs rest."

She hands me a form.

"You need to sign your name here."

"I don't have money right now, but I'll arrange—"

"It's already paid for, ma'am."

"By the man who brought me?"

"No. By your father."

I freeze.

"Is he here?"

"Yes."

"Tell him to leave. And if he ever visits me again, I'll leave the hospital myself."

"Yes ma'am. Understood."

The nurse walks out.

I sit there, shaking.

Why now? Why is my father involved? Who saved me? And why did that masked monster call himself "Echo"?

Scene Change: TV – Breaking News

It's nearly 6:00 PM. Bored, I turn on the television.

The screen flashes red.

"Breaking News! CEO Lyra Vale—MISSING."

The anchor's voice rattles my bones.

"This footage shows her being dragged from her mansion by two masked men. Three staff members were found dead. Blood stains across the living room and kitchen—"

A clip plays: Me. Struggling. Screaming. Being shoved into a van.

I slam the remote and turn the TV off.

I'm not missing. I'm right here.

But maybe… maybe it's safer if the world doesn't know.

Scene Change: Detective Rael Callen's Visit

The door creaks open.

A man limps in—face bruised, arm in a sling.

"Miss Vale," he breathes. "Thank God you're alive."

"… you're hurt."

"They rammed my car. I was trying to follow them."

"I wasn't thrown out," I say. "I jumped."

"You what?!"

"They tried to assault me. I had no choice."

"Did you see their faces?"

"No. They covered my eyes. But I overheard them—they said their boss didn't want me dead. He wanted me alive."

"Any idea why?"

"No. But they called him 'Echo.'"

The detective Rael scribbles down every word.

"Why does the news say I'm missing?" I ask.

"We're keeping your location private. If they know you're alive… they might try again."

"Good. Let them think I'm gone."

He nods and walks out.

Final question – The Question in the Dark

AT: Night.

The doctor checks me. The nurse hands me a hot meal. Painkillers dull the aching.

But sleep won't come.

Not when I keep seeing that silver loop ring…

That voice…

That word:

"Echo."

Who are you?

Why do you want me alive?

And who the hell saved me… then disappeared like a ghost?

I stare at the ceiling, my fingers trembling under the blanket.

I may be alive…

The nurse came and dims the lights, whispers a goodnight, and closes the door behind her. Silence wraps around me like fog. The ceiling above is blank, but my mind is screaming.

I close my eyes.

But the moment I do—I hear it.

A creak.A soft one. Barely there.The sound of a door that never opened.

My eyes fly open.

I turn my head.The door is still shut.

But there's… something on the table.

It wasn't there before.

A single white envelope with a rose bouquet.

I stare at the white envelope which was the main, heart pounding.

My fingers tremble as I reach for it.

No name. No stamp. Just pressed ivory paper with one thing written inside—in black ink.

"You weren't supposed to remember anything.But now that you do… don't trust anyone, not even you knowns."

No signature.

No clue.

Just… that.

My heart slams against my ribs.

The window's locked. The hallway's empty. The nurse didn't leave it.

Someone was here.

And they're watching.

Watching me.

And the shadow left. 

"The real game didn't begin when they kidnapped me.It began when I survived."