It was evening when Liana heard the door being opened. She closed her eyes, praying it was RK and not the ruthless man.

"I'm bored," it was RK's voice. Her body relaxed. He came and removed her gag.

"Thank you," she said. "Why don't you remove Hellen's too?"

"No, I'm under strict orders not to let her speak to you. There are things you shouldn't know yet."

"So, what do you have to tell me?"

"I have both good and bad news for you," he sat on a small wooden bench. "What would you like to hear first?"

"I don't really care," Liana said. "Besides, you can barely keep anything to yourself. You're going to tell me everything."

"Are you trying to be like Gina?" He scrolled through his phone and stared at it for a while. He held it for her to see Gina's photo. It was one of those she'd uploaded to Facebook. "She's exceptional and you can't be anything like her."

"Which is great because I don't want to be like her." Liana shrugged. "If I get out of here alive, I'll start a new life without her. I've been in her shadow for such a long time I can barely remember who I was before we met."

"Whatever." He waved his hand dismissively. "She's been detained at the station."

"What? Are you telling me the truth? When did that happen? Didn't you talk to her today?"

"Of course and guess what, she's blaming you for everything and now everyone thinks you're a criminal."

"I don't believe you," Liana shook her head. "Gina may not be the best friend ever but I'm sure she'd never do something like that to me."

"Do you think I'm lying?"

"How did you get that information?"

"What's wrong with you, girl? How else would I get it? It's allover the news and my boss has contacts in the police force. Gina always told me she'd do that when we talked in the afternoon."

Liana had known Gina for so many years and she found it hard to believe RK's words. Could Gina have changed so much that she only cared about herself? What if it was true? Liana wiped tears using the back of her hand. She glimpsed at Hellen who was staring at her with a sad expression.

"Actually some volunteers have withdrawn from the search groups," he stood up and lifted a hammer which was on a table in the corner. "Now, they're speculating that Hellen is also a criminal. After hearing all these, I've developed a crush on Gina, I mean one has to be really brave to lie to the law enforcement and the whole town. How many eighteen year olds can do that? I need to-"

His phone rang and he answered immediately. "Hello...I didn't expect you here today...Okay, I'll be there."

When the call ended, RK swore, gagged Liana and ambled to the door. Almost a minute later, the man with a mask stormed in, fingers balled into fists. He slammed the door closed and stood in front of Liana. She shuddered.

He bent a little and tore her knickers in one move. Curse RK for buying her a dress instead of jeans. Ignoring her muffled screams he raped her and he was done in a few minutes. Liana sobbed. What had she done to deserve a life like that? Why do good people always suffer?

"Go away," Liana said when RK came back.

"I know you may not want to see anyone right but I have good news for you."

Liana didn't say anything.

"The boss is very angry with Gina and he's considering your deal."

"Oh my goodness!" Liana's face lit up. "I can go home?"

"Yeah, it'll be hard to hide you now that the police know you've been kidnapped but still alive. There's also no point in us killing you but we won't hesitate if you turn against us. We'll even kill Hellen and you'll never live in peace after letting her done. You're nothing like Gina so it'd affect you, that I know."

"I need to see my parents. I'll do anything you want me to, just let me out of this place."

"You're going to blame Gina for everything that has happened. Make it seem like she wanted you dead because you were threatening to reveal her secret. You were tired of being her accomplice."

"But isn't that going to be hard if everyone thinks I'm a criminal?"

RK shook his head. "I was just messing with you. If Gina had lied, the boss wouldn't have been so angry. Don't think it's because she cares about you. I think she confessed only because she knows the truth will always come out."

That's what you think, Liana thought, you know nothing about Gina. Gina wasn't a person who cared about lots of people but she cared so much about the few she had in her life. Though she was happy she'd be released, she felt sad about going against her former best friend. Moreover she was going to have to lie. She had to find a way of helping Hellen escape because that was the only way she'd be free from whoever hid behind the mask.

"When do I get to leave?"

"Tomorrow," RK smiled. "We are going to give you a list of tasks."

"Thank you, RK. I've always known you're a softie at heart."

RK chuckled. "Insult me like that again and I'll make sure you remain here forever."

They both laughed.

A/N: Thank you for reading. If you liked the chapter, don't forget to tap that little star. You can also tell me what you think about the chapter.

Love, CG.