Darkness clung to the damp walls of the basement like an unwanted guest, the dim light from a single bulb casting sinister shadows on the rough concrete. I tried to focus on the sound of water dripping somewhere in the distance, the rhythmic pattern a small comfort amidst the terror. The cold floor bit into my bare feet, and goosebumps prickled my skin as the frigid air danced around me.
“No point struggling, Olivia,” Brynn’s voice cut through the silence, her tone entirely too calm, given the situation. “Might as well relax.”
I glanced over at her, chained to a chair just like me. We were both bruised, our clothes torn and dirty, but otherwise unharmed. My heart pounded painfully in my chest.
“Not really a chill out kind of situation for me.” My voice was shaking slightly despite my best efforts at control.
“At least we’re together, right?” she said, smiling that infuriating smile of hers. “Certainly could be worse.”
“Are you serious?” I scoffed, narrowing my eyes at her.
“Never mind,” she sighed dramatically, rolling her eyes. “I’m just trying to stay positive. Panicking and being rude to me isn’t going to get you out of here any faster. ”
“Whatever,” I muttered, shifting uncomfortably in my bonds. The metal dug into my wrists. There had to be a way out of this nightmare. This was not part of the plan. I hadn’t expected to be trapped. With her. In this dark place… could be anywhere.
“Look, Olivia, we’ve got one chance here,” Brynn began, leaning closer, her eyes darting around nervously. “If we can figure out who brought us here, maybe we can find a way to get out.”
“Or maybe you could stop pretending,” I snapped, my frustration boiling over. “You think I don’t know you’re trying to get information out of me? You’re not my ally, Brynn. You never have been.”
“Aw, you’re no fun,” Brynn cooed mockingly, her face twisting into a sinister grin. Without warning, she stood up and effortlessly slipped out of the chains that had appeared to bind her. My eyes widened in disbelief as she sauntered over to me, her hips swaying confidently with each step.
“See, sweetheart, I’m not actually tied up. You really are too gullible for your own good,” she sneered, circling around my chair like a predator stalking its prey. The cold air prickled against my skin as I fought to suppress the shivers creeping down my spine.
“Marcus thought he could just storm back into town and reclaim his empire, but you should know I’m smarter than both of you combined,” she continued, her voice dripping with disdain. “I mean, it was almost too easy to mess up Marcus’s life. The man practically handed it to me on a silver platter.”
Her laughter echoed through the basement, grating against my nerves. I clenched my jaw, struggling to tune her out as she recounted all the ways she’d manipulated and sabotaged Marcus, her words slicing through the air like an icy blade.
“First, I destroyed his precious reputation, turning him into the laughingstock of the city. Then, I severed his business ties one by one, watching as his so-called friends abandoned him without a second thought.” She paused, her eyes narrowing with vindictive glee. “Oh, and let’s not forget how I destroyed the loyalty of his employees. It’s amazing what people will do for money and a little nudge in the right direction.”
My blood boiled beneath my bruised skin, every fiber of my being screaming for me to fight back, to tear her smug smile off her face. But the chains restraining me held fast, trapping me in a prison of pain and helplessness. My heart pounded furiously in my chest, each beat echoing the rage filling me.
“Pretty little Olivia,” Brynn hissed, leaning in close enough for her breath to tickle my ear. “Did you think you ever had a chance? That you and Marcus would get through this trying time and end up together stronger for it? Stupid girl.”
“Shut the hell up!” I spat, my voice shaking with fury. I couldn’t take it any longer – the taunting, the smirking, the sheer arrogance that poured from Brynn’s every word. Wildfire raged through my veins, consuming all reason and restraint.
“Aw, poor little Olivia,” Brynn sneered, mocking my outburst. “Did I strike a nerve?”
Brynn turned away from me and sauntered toward the stairs, each step a stinging reminder of her freedom and my captivity.
“Enough of this dull girl talk,” she called over her shoulder, a twisted grin playing on her lips. “Time for the real fun to begin.”
My heart hammered in my chest as she climbed the stairs, dread coiling in my gut like a snake preparing to strike. I could feel it tightening, squeezing the last remnants of hope from my soul.
As she reached the top of the stairs, Brynn knocked on the closed door, the sound sharp and final. “Get ready, Olivia,” she hissed, her gaze boring into me with a chilling intensity. “You’re about to learn exactly what happens when you cross me.”
The door creaked open, and a wave of terror washed over me as I saw the hulking figure that stepped into the dimly lit cellar. He was a monster of a man, his bald head gleaming with sweat, and dark eyes that seemed to hold nothing but malice. With each step he took, the heavy thud of his boots echoed through the room, sending shivers down my spine.
“Ah, Cormac,” Brynn cooed, her voice dripping with false sweetness. “I was just telling Olivia here how much fun we’re about to have.” She gestured toward me with a sinister grin, as if I were some sort of plaything.
“Our dear friend Marcus has been quite the nuisance lately, hasn’t he?”
Cormac’s lips twisted into a cruel smile as he nodded, his gaze never leaving mine. It felt like he was sizing me up, determining just how much pain I could take before breaking.
“Marcus’s empire is crumbling,” Brynn continued, her tone laced with contempt. “His reputation, his contacts, the loyalty of his pathetic little employees – all gone, thanks to me. The only thing he has left now is this dumb bitch.” Her eyes narrowed as she stared at me, and the hatred I saw there made my blood run cold. “And I plan to take her from him, too.”
The defiance in me flared, pushing back against the fear that threatened to consume me. I wouldn’t let Brynn win this battle. Not without a fight. “You’re not going to get away with this, Brynn,” I spat, clenching my fists. “You think you can just destroy our lives and walk away unscathed? You’re wrong.”
Brynn laughed, a cold, mirthless sound that sent a chill down my spine. “Oh, Olivia, you really don’t understand, do you?” She shook her head, a wicked smile playing on her lips. “I’m not just going to destroy your life. I’m going to end it.”
As Cormac stepped closer, looming over me like a vulture ready to pick at my remains, I gritted my teeth and met his gaze, determined not to show him any fear. “You can do your worst,” I told him through clenched teeth, “but I’ll never give you the satisfaction of breaking me.”
“Such bravado,” Brynn purred, clearly amused by my defiance. “Cormac, why don’t you give Olivia a taste of what you can do.”
Cormac’s fingers curled into fists, and I braced myself for the pain that was sure to come. His fist collided with my face, the force of the blow sending a shockwave of pain through me. I tasted blood in my mouth, and for a moment, my vision blurred. But I refused to let tears escape, not wanting to give Brynn the satisfaction.
“Such a pretty face,” Brynn taunted from her spot across the room, “it’s a shame it won’t stay that way.”
Cormac’s fingers wrapped around my throat, tightening their grip until I could barely breathe. My lungs screamed for air as my vision began to darken at the edges. Just when I thought I would lose consciousness entirely, he released his hold, allowing me to gasp desperately for air.
“Stop being so nice, Cormac,” Brynn chided, a cruel smile playing on her lips. “We want her to feel every bit of this.”
“Fuck you,” I managed to wheeze out, glaring at her despite my growing fear.
“Feisty,” Brynn laughed. “I like it.”
As if taking that as his cue, Cormac struck again, his fist connecting with my cheekbone once more. The room spun around me, and I fought back the bile that rose in my throat. A swift kick to my stomach sent me flying back against the wall. The chair shattered, and I went crashing to the ground, the cold concrete biting into my skin as my body convulsed from the impact.
“Enough!” Brynn shouted, striding over to where I lay, in a dazed agony.
She knelt down, her icy gaze locking onto mine. “Choose, Olivia,” she commanded, her voice dripping with venom. “Do you want Cormac to kill you quickly, or should he take his time, making you wish you were dead?”
My only response was to spit out the blood that was filling my mouth.
Brynn laughed, a malicious sound that echoed throughout the dank basement. “Cormac, give her some more.”
She retreated to her previous spot, perching herself like a predator ready to watch its prey suffer. Cormac loomed over me once more, and I knew there was no escape from the pain that awaited me.
My vision swam as Cormac rained blows down on me. I lost count of the hits, drifting in and out of consciousness. Each strike was agony, fracturing my ribs and splitting my lips. Blood dripped down my chin with every panting breath.
Brynn’s delighted laughter cut through the haze of pain. “That’s enough foreplay, don’t you think? Get to the main event already.”
Cormac grunted, grabbing my shoulders. He slammed me back against the cold concrete wall behind me. I cried out as my injuries screamed in protest.
He smiled coldly, wrapping his massive hands around my throat. His grip tightened, choking off my airway. I clawed at his hands, fighting to draw in even a single breath. Spots danced before my eyes as I suffocated, thrashing against his hold.
I stared up at Cormac, watching with grim satisfaction as his features twisted into a snarl. Even now, beaten and broken, I wouldn’t give them the satisfaction of begging. I wouldn’t give Brynn what she wanted.
My vision dimmed, fading to black. As I slipped into oblivion, a single thought echoed through my mind.
I won’t break.