Against the clock

16.

Mer's pov
tw: rape

Derek's face contorted with a mix of shock and fury at the man's crude revelation. 'You sick bastard!' he spat out, his anger fueling his defiance. The man's laughter continued, a twisted soundtrack to the disturbing revelation. 'No way in hell!' Derek barked, his refusal echoing through the chamber. I stood by his side, my own disbelief and outrage mirrored in my expression.

'The challenge is laid out, Derek. You can either face it or suffer the consequences of your defiance. The choice is yours,' the man said, his tone devoid of empathy. Derek's fists clenched tighter, his eyes narrowing as he grappled with the repulsive ultimatum before him. 'You think we're going to participate in some sick, degrading spectacle? You're out of your damn mind,' Derek retorted, his voice resonating with a determination that bordered on defiance. The man's voice hardened, and the twisted grin transformed into a cold, calculating expression. 'Derek, I suggest you reconsider. The consequences of your refusal will be severe,' he warned, the malice in his voice cutting through the air.

Derek, fueled by a righteous anger, squared his shoulders. 'I don't give a damn about your consequences. We won't be a part of your sick game,' he declared, his voice unwavering. Derek's defiance echoed in the chamber, but the man's unsettling calm remained. 'Okay, Gustaph is on his way to kill you,' he announced, his words hanging in the air like a chilling omen. The sound of approaching footsteps from the stairs added a palpable urgency to the situation.

Not willing to let the situation escalate further, I stepped forward, a mix of determination and desperation in my eyes. 'Wait! There has to be another way,' I pleaded, my words directed at both Derek and the ominous figure orchestrating this disturbing scenario. The voice said: 'There is another way, just fuck. It's really not that hard,' he laughed.

My heart pounded in my chest as I grappled with the gravity of the situation. The dimly lit room felt suffocating, and the air was thick with tension. 'Derek, we can't let him reach us. We need to figure a way out of this,' I urged, my voice tinged with desperation. 'We might not have another option,' I whispered urgently, my gaze pleading with him. Derek's eyes met mine, a mixture of anger and reluctance in their depths.

'What? I can't believe you're suggesting this,' he muttered through gritted teeth, his frustration palpable. The man overseeing this disturbing game laughed, seemingly amused by the internal conflict unfolding before him. 'Derek, I don't want to die!' I urged, desperation lacing my voice. Derek's eyes softened momentarily as he met my desperate gaze. The realization of the imminent threat, coupled with the fear of losing our lives, began to overshadow his initial resistance. His jaw clenched again, a mix of frustration and resignation playing across his features. 'I don't want us to die either, but I would never rape a woman. I won't do it!' he continued, my voice trembling with a blend of fear and determination.

The man overseeing the ordeal seemed to revel in our internal struggle, his calculating gaze fixed on Derek. 'Time is running out, Derek. Make your choice,' he taunted, the malice in his tone cutting through the tension. 'He's going to do it anyway! If someone has to, I'd prefer it be you than him,' I declared, locking eyes with Derek. My gaze bore into his, conveying a mix of urgency and unwavering resolve. Derek's eyes widened with a mixture of shock and gratitude as my words hung in the charged atmosphere. He took a deep breath, torn between the protectiveness in his nature and the harsh reality of our circumstances.

The door creaked open, revealing Gustaph's menacing silhouette, a gun pointed ominously in our direction. In that heart-stopping moment, fear surged through me, and instinct took over. 'We'll do it! Don't shoot him!' I screamed, standing up on my good leg desperation lacing my plea. My voice echoed through the chamber, a desperate attempt to protect Derek from the imminent threat. Standing behind Derek, I watched in dread as he stood before Gustaph. Suddenly, he lunged, seizing Derek's arm with a forceful grip. A menacing gun appeared in Gustaph's other hand, its barrel pointed directly at Derek's head. With a ruthless determination, Gustaph tilted Derek's body, forcing him closer to where I was standing.