Eclipse of Control

Chapter 6: The Price of Defiance

TW:  Hey guys! This chapter contains a distressing punishment scene that may be disturbing to some readers. Please be aware and read with caution.
Hope you have fun reading!

——

The air was heavy with tension as Sonic forced himself to look compliant, every muscle in his body screaming against the act. Shadow watched him closely, his crimson eyes narrowed, searching for any sign of rebellion. Sonic's mind was working double-time, strategizing his next move while trying to keep his face as blank and defeated as possible.

"Good," Shadow said, a hint of satisfaction curling his lips. "You're finally starting to learn your place."

Sonic swallowed hard, biting back the retort that threatened to spill from his lips. Instead, he lowered his gaze, pretending to submit while his fingers twitched slightly, just close enough to brush against the key. It was so close now—he just needed to play his cards right.

"Yeah," Sonic muttered, his voice low and seemingly resigned. "Guess I don't have much of a choice, do I?"

Shadow's smirk deepened, and he leaned in closer, his breath warm against Sonic's cheek. "That's right. You're beginning to understand."

But as Shadow's attention momentarily wavered, Sonic made his move. His fingers closed around the key, slipping it into his palm. He kept his expression as neutral as possible, his heart racing in his chest. Shadow's gaze returned to him, and Sonic knew he had to keep up the act.

"See?" Sonic said with a forced sigh. "Maybe you're right. Maybe fighting you is pointless."

For a split second, Sonic thought he saw something soften in Shadow's eyes, a flicker of twisted affection that almost made him shudder. Good, Sonic thought. Keep believing that.

As soon as Shadow turned his back, Sonic's pulse surged. His fingers trembled slightly as he maneuvered the key towards the lock on his restraints. Just a little more. He could already taste the freedom—one turn of the key, and he'd be out of here.

The click of the lock felt like the sweetest sound he'd ever heard. Sonic's breath hitched as he started to pull the restraint loose, just seconds away from bolting toward the door.

But then, he felt it—a sudden, intense pressure on his wrist, and the key was wrenched from his hand. Sonic looked up, eyes wide, as Shadow's grip tightened painfully around his wrist.

Shadow's face was a mask of cold fury, his crimson eyes burning like fire. "Did you really think you could outsmart me?" he hissed, his voice low and dangerous.

Sonic's mouth went dry. "I—"

"You never learn, do you?" Shadow interrupted, his voice trembling with a barely controlled rage. "You play these little games, thinking you can trick me. But now you've crossed the line, Sonic."

In a swift movement, Shadow yanked Sonic up from the chair, dragging him toward a large steel door at the far end of the room. Sonic struggled, panic setting in as he realized where they were headed.

"No—wait, Shadow!" Sonic's voice cracked as they stopped in front of a tank of water, the surface shimmering with an icy chill. Sonic's eyes went wide with terror. He couldn't swim; he'd always hated the water. "You don't have to do this!"

"Oh, I think I do," Shadow said, his voice almost a whisper. "You need to understand what happens when you defy me."

Before Sonic could react, Shadow thrust him forward, plunging his head into the freezing water. The shock hit Sonic like a thousand needles, his breath hitching as the cold enveloped him. He kicked wildly, his survival instincts flaring up, but Shadow's grip on the back of his neck was unyielding.

Sonic's thoughts were a blur of panic and desperation. His chest burned as he fought to hold his breath, his vision blurring from the cold and terror. This was his worst nightmare—drowning, helpless, completely at Shadow's mercy.

Finally, just as his lungs felt like they would burst, Shadow pulled him back up, letting him gasp for air. Sonic's entire body shook, his eyes wide with fear and anger.

"Please," Sonic panted, the word slipping out involuntarily as he tried to catch his breath. It was a word he never thought he'd say, not to Shadow, not like this.

Shadow's expression was unreadable as he looked down at Sonic, who was still shaking from the cold and the terror of near-drowning. "You think this is over?" Shadow's voice was calm, too calm, as he gripped Sonic's chin, forcing him to look up. "It's not. This is just a reminder of what happens when you betray my trust."

He let go of Sonic's face, and for a moment, they just stared at each other. Sonic's green eyes, filled with defiance even in their vulnerability, met Shadow's intense gaze. There was no victory for either of them in that stare—just a silent battle of wills, one that neither seemed willing to lose.

"Remember this feeling, Sonic," Shadow said softly, his voice like ice. "The next time you even think about running, you'll know what's waiting for you."

And with that, Shadow turned and walked away, leaving Sonic shivering on the cold floor, still drenched, but with fire in his eyes that hadn't yet been extinguished.

—

To be continued

I really feel bad for Sonic in this chapter :,>