The Gardner's Favorite Orchid
Passion Exclusive
Suspense thriller
6.4K
Description
Eighteen-year-old June Hartley is ripped from her ordinary life and thrown into a nightmare. A man called "The Gardener" kidnaps her, locking her in a cellar with three other girls-Camellia, Azalea, and Iris. He doesn't see them as people. To him, they're flowers in his perfect garden. He renames them, dresses them like dolls, and forces them to play the role of his "family."But flowers can't survive in the dark. The Gardener's twisted games turn more violent with each passing day. June learns the horrifying truth: "You're not just his flowers. You're his prey."Outside, her boyfriend Ethan and her family are desperate to find her. Clues lead them deeper into the forest, to an abandoned hut, where the line between hope and horror shatters. When Ethan finds June, she screams one word: "RUN!" But it's too late. In the cellar, June faces a terrible question: how far will she go to stay alive-and will she ever escape the dark?
Chapter 1
Mar 18, 2025
June Hartley sat at the kitchen table, her phone in her hand as she scrolled through her messages. Her little sister, Mia, chattered endlessly about her latest school project, but June wasn’t really listening. The smell of roasted chicken and cookies hung in the air—her mom’s usual weekend routine. It was comforting, safe. It made her think of home.
"Are you sure you’ll be back by curfew?" her mom asked as she set a plate of cookies on the counter.
"Yes, Mom," June said with an exaggerated sigh, rolling her eyes. "It’s just a party at Jenna’s house. We’ll probably spend half the time taking pictures."
Her father peered over his newspaper, his brow furrowing. "No drinking," he said sternly.
"Dad, it’s not that kind of party," she replied smoothly, flashing her practiced smile. She didn’t dare tell him the truth—Jenna’s parties were notorious for their chaos, but tonight June wasn’t there for the drinks. She had a bigger priority: her boyfriend, Ethan.
Later, June stood in front of her bedroom mirror, slipping on the tight blue dress she had been saving for weeks. The fabric hugged her figure perfectly, and she turned to examine herself from different angles. Her long, dark hair was pulled into a loose braid, highlighting her sharp cheekbones. She smiled at her reflection, satisfied.
A car horn blared from outside, and her heart skipped a beat. Ethan was here.
"Bye, Mia!" she called out as she grabbed her purse and headed for the door. Mia barely glanced up from her tablet, waving absentmindedly as June disappeared outside.
The car ride was filled with laughter and the familiar scent of Ethan’s cologne. His hand rested casually on her thigh as they sped toward the party. The low thrum of the car’s stereo mixed with their voices, creating a bubble of warmth and comfort.
"You look amazing," Ethan said, stealing a quick glance at her as they pulled into Jenna’s driveway. His words sent a flutter through her chest.
Inside, the party pulsed with energy. Streaks of colored light cut through the crowded room, flashing in time with the pounding bass. Laughter and shouting rippled through the air, almost drowning out the music. The moment June stepped in, Jenna flung herself into her arms, squeezing her tight.
"That dress!" Jenna screamed, stepping back to take it all in. Her wide eyes sparkled as she grinned. "You look insane!"
June spun for her, the hem of her fitted blue dress catching the light. "A month of salads," she yelled back, half-laughing, "and zero pizza. Worth it?"
Jenna grabbed her hand, holding it high like she’d just won an award. "So worth it. You’re slaying. Ethan’s jaw must have dropped!"
As if on cue, Ethan appeared, his warm hand slipping into hers. He didn’t say anything at first, just gave her that crooked smile she loved before tugging her toward the dance floor.
Jenna shot her a wink as June let herself be pulled into the crowd. The music swallowed her whole—her heart syncing to the beat as she and Ethan moved together. Heat and rhythm blurred everything else away, the glow of the lights bathing her like she belonged at the center of it all. She caught Jenna cheering from the edge of the dance floor and couldn’t help but laugh. In that moment, June felt unstoppable, like nothing could touch her.
***
As the night wore on, June stepped outside for some air. The cool breeze prickled her skin as she leaned against the porch railing, scrolling through her phone. She glanced up and froze.
At the edge of the woods stood a man. His dark coat blended into the shadows, and his face was obscured by the faint light of the house. He didn’t move, didn’t speak—just stood there, perfectly still.
June’s breath caught in her throat. "Can I help you?" she called out, trying to keep her voice steady.
He didn’t answer.
The hair on the back of her neck stood on end, and her pulse quickened. She turned to go back inside, shaking her head, but before she reached the door, she glanced over her shoulder.
He was gone.
***
Ethan drove her home after the party, the car quiet except for their occasional laughter. When he pulled up to her house, he leaned over to kiss her one last time. "I’ll see you tomorrow," he promised with a warm smile.
"Goodnight," June said softly, stepping out of the car and watching him drive away.
Inside, the house was silent and dark. She locked the door behind her, but an odd unease crept over her, like someone was watching her. She shook it off, blaming the feeling on party nerves, and headed upstairs.
She changed into her pajamas, brushed her teeth, and crawled into bed. After sending Ethan a quick goodnight, she turned off her phone and closed her eyes.
June woke with a start, her breath catching in her throat. A heavy hand was clamped over her mouth, and another arm pinned her down against the bed. Her heart raced as she tried to scream, but the sound was muffled.
"Shhh," a deep voice whispered in her ear, low and menacing. "Don’t fight, Orchid. You’ll only make it worse."
Her mind raced, her body thrashing instinctively against the grip. She clawed at the arm holding her, her nails scraping against rough skin, but it was useless. He was too strong.
The man yanked her out of bed, dragging her toward the window. June kicked and writhed, her muffled cries growing more frantic. Her head slammed against the window frame, and pain exploded behind her eyes.
As her vision blurred, she caught a glimpse of his face—pale and hollow-eyed, with a thin, twisted smile. His breath reeked of metal and decay.
Darkness swallowed her whole.
The Gardner's Favorite Orchid
10 Chapters
10
Contents
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