Samantha's POV:

When I woke up, I was surrounded by darkness. It was almost suffocating, like something dragging you underwater. I struggled to see where I was, and what happened. All I could summon up in my memory was me going to Miranda's flat, and then a sharp pain in my head. No wonder my head hurts. I lifted my hand to my head, but found they were tied behind a table leg. What happened?

"So you're finally awake," whispered the dark voice I had been dreading to hear. Austin.

"What do you want?" I snarled at him, jerking against my bonds.

"So Louis told you his story," he smirked, ignoring my question, "and he warned you that it would put you in danger. Yet you didn't listen. And here you are."

I spat at him, and his expression changed from calmness to pure anger. He slapped me, and I hung my head, unable to do anything else to muffle the pain. "How do you know him?" he shouted at me, grabbing my throat.

Unable to speak, I choked and thrashed around, but he didn't listen. He squeezed my throat, but then let go. "I'll save you for later," he hissed into my ear, "when the real show begins." He then kicked me in the gut and walked away.

Tears were now rolling down my cheeks, and I, not even attempting to wipe them away, just sat there. The pain, mentally and physically, was too much for me. But then I remembered, two years ago, what Louis told me.

* Flashback *

"Louis," I breathed into his chest, clutching his arm tightly. "Promise me you won't leave me."

"I promise," he whispered back, and engulfed me in his hug. "But if I'm somehow not there, you have to be strong and never give up. Promise me that." When I didn't say anything back, he forced me to look at him. "Promise me."

"I... I promise," I vowed, drawing in a shaky breath. Did that mean that some day, he wouldn't be there for me?

* End of Flashback *

Now he wasn't there for me. But I had to be strong. Because of the promise. "I promise," I whispered the words I had said two years ago.

Louis's POV:

I barely managed to contain my scream as I stared at the telly. It couldn't be... I ran out of my flat and to Miranda's, where Samantha lived. I knocked on the door, but no one answered. Where was she?

In my frustration, I kicked the door. But then I noticed something white on the door mat. A piece of paper.

Dear Louis,
Why, hello, friend! This is Austin, and I have your little, delicate treasure. Yes, at the time I saw you, I didn't know you two had a past. But then I did some research, and saw how loving you two were. You could say I lived under a rock.
Remember Aria? Your sister? How you were unable to save her? Well, I'm giving you a chance to save Samantha. But I really doubt you can. But that's not the point, is it? Anyway, remember the school we were in? Go to the place where we made the bet. Tomorrow, at midnight. Oh, and don't call the police. I'm watching you. Be there on time if you want to save your princess-- or see her for the last time.

-Austin

I let out a small cry of rage and shock. He had her? No, no, no. I had to protect Samantha-- even if I had to sacrifice my life. I had to get to the school. But that was hours away. If I had to be there on time, I had to start now. Wow, Austin was very smart. I called a cab, and we drove off.