Blind Date Turned Proposal

She followed the sound of the voice with urgency, and she saw a woman in the corner of the basement. “Laura!” Josie shouted as she sped towards her.

Josie knelt down to see how she was doing.

Hopelessness etched on her face as if the world had crumbled upon her.

As soon as she saw Josie, her eyes lit up with a glimmer of hope. “Josie,” she whimpered.

Josie could feel her tears welling up as she looked at Laura’s back. Laura’s clothes were torn, and her bare skin was covered in red marks.

The crisscross of bloody marks was a testament to the brutal beatings she had suffered.

Josie was frozen in place, and her eyes brimmed with tears. “Laura…

Arnold’s forehead wrinkled in disgust at the ghastly sight. “Zach must be crazy!”

As he looked around, he saw an array of weapons used to abuse her. Arnold felt a shiver run down his spine as he saw some of them stained with blood.

Josie tried to lift Laura up. “Let’s go. I’ll take you out of here. We’ll go see a doctor. You’ll get better, Laura,”

Laura said breathlessly, “I can’t leave now.”

“Why not?”

“It’s Summer’s birthday today. Zach wouldn’t let you get away with taking me out of here.”

looked at Arnold, her eyes filled with worry: “What do we do now?” she

now,” he responded, taking out his phone. T’ll get

hugged Laura tightly, but her body was still shivering. She couldn’t warm her up no matter how

Andy to get a doctor in here. They’ll

you mean Laura can’t leave this place?” she

cracking.

could come in here at any time. We can’t take her out of here

Josie’s sleeve as she nodded in assent to Arnold’s suggestion. “He’s right. I can’t leave today,” she muttered,

the only one that seemed

themselves as an employee of the Carter Group and arrive at the hidden basement.

difficult to

seems to be up to something,” Larry said, his eyes tracking Arnold’s secretary, Andy, as he rushed into the Olsen

at him and ordered, “Have

“What about us?”

“We’ll stay put.”

the hidden basement, the doctor carefully took the medical supplies from his bag and said, “Ms. Brandel, I

excruciating pain when he placed the gauze pad soaked in antiseptic on

couldn’t bear watching her in pain. She turned around

at her, letting out a big sigh. He lifted his hands but paused midway. Eventually, he patted her on