The Devil Doesn't Bargain | Daerin

24 | The Devil's Playground

𝐇𝐚𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐎𝐕

The room is dark.

Threatening.

Shadows dance on the walls as a single, swinging light bulb casts a glow.

Ryan sits tied to an iron chair, his arms and legs shackled with iron cuffs. His nose is bleeding from the punches Hyein gave him, his brown hair is a messy tangle, and yet, an evil grin of satisfaction plays on his lips.

It makes me want to kill him then and there, but I hold myself back. This process is going to be the most painful and slowest.

Danielle stands nearby, supported by Minji. She looks down, silent. Ever since I rescued her, she hasn't say much, still too shaken to voice her pain. But I'll make sure he pays.

Hyein stands a few meters away, preparing the tools on a tray—various sharp instruments gleaming under the harsh light on the table.

I step forward, fixing the black glove on my hand.

"You think you can make me pay? Whatever you're going to do will not change anything. I've done the harm." He tries to intimidate me but I'm not buying any of it.

I move closer, Hyein handing me the tray. I pick up the first tool—a pair of pliers. Their cold metal feels just right, so perfect in my hand. I grab his hand, forcing it flat against the armrest.

"What did you do to Danielle?" I ask coldly.

He remains silent, daring me with his eyes. Ah, good. Now he knows how to shut up. But I'm not here to let him shut up any longer.

I grip his first nail and with a swift, brutal motion, rip it off. His scream echoes through the empty warehouse, a symphony of agony. It's music to my ears. I close my eyes, letting the melody wash over me.

I hand the bloodied pliers back to the tray. Hyein steps in to wrap a bandage around his finger, but only enough to stop the bleeding, not to comfort him. I wish I could let the blood flow, but I can't let him die too soon. I need his heart for Danielle.

I lean in close, grabbing his chin and forcing him to meet my gaze. "Answer me, slut. What did you do to Danielle?"

"Fuck you," he spits.

I grab another finger. "Wrong answer." I rip off another nail, his scream is louder this time. It's like a drug—so intoxicating. So addicting.

Hyein quickly bandages the second wound, preventing him from losing too much blood. I see his confidence crumble under the pain.

"I just wanted her back," he gasps, tears streaming down his face. "I wanted her to remember what we had."

My grip tightens on the pliers. "You abused her for more than a year. You kidnapped her and assaulted her. You deserve worse than hell, but let me show you what hell is like before you die."

His eyes widen with fear as I move to another finger.

"What did you do to her?" I repeat the same question.

"Haerin, no—" he starts.

"Don't you dare say my name!" I roar, making him flinch.

"Don't do this to me, please..." He pleads, his voice trembling. "We can talk this over. I... I'll give you as much money as you want."

"I don't want your fucking money. I want the truth." I grip his jaw, my eyes boring into his. "What did you do?"

He swallows hard before whispering the sentence I despise the most, "I raped her."