Baxter stories before he arrives

Fish tank

When Vox invited Baxter to his office, Baxter had been cautious, as always. Vox's motives were rarely straightforward, and the two didn't exactly have a history built on trust. But the lure of a "new shark tank" had piqued Baxter's interest enough that he convinced himself to go. Vox had spun a convincing story, claiming he needed someone with Baxter's expertise to ensure the tank was structurally sound and ready for its "special new inhabitant." With Baxter's knowledge of marine life and engineering, it seemed plausible enough that he could be genuinely useful—until he stepped into Vox's office.

The tank itself was massive, filling nearly half the room, with sleek, dark glass panels and strategically placed LED lights that gave it an eerie glow. Vox stood beside it, looking pleased and gesturing for Baxter to come closer.

"Quite the beauty, don't you think?" Vox said, his tone sweetly saccharine. "You, of all people, would appreciate its design."

Baxter, ever meticulous, approached cautiously. He leaned over the tank, inspecting the glass, noticing the impeccable sealing along the edges, a job so flawless it had to be custom-made. The water inside shimmered, slightly distorted by the lights above, giving the tank an ethereal, unsettling glow.

But then, in an instant, Baxter felt something nudge him from behind. Before he could react, the ground seemed to slip out from under him, and he stumbled forward. Vox's smirk was the last thing he saw as he fell into the tank, plunging into the cold, clear water. He surfaced, sputtering, and immediately reached for the edge—but it was too late. Vox had activated the lid, a thick, reinforced barrier sliding into place with a sharp, mechanical click. Baxter banged against it, but the glass was soundproof, leaving his furious shouts to be drowned out by the water around him.

Vox leaned over the tank, his face framed by the harsh light above, looking down at Baxter with a wide, gleeful smile. "Ah, Baxter, you make quite the display in there. I told you this tank was designed for something special, didn't I?"

Baxter glared up at him, fists clenched, his anger clear even through the glass. His every movement was visible, each expression of frustration magnified as he banged his fists against the tank, trying to find any weak spot. But there were none—he'd made sure of that when inspecting the design, unwittingly sealing his fate.

"Now, now," Vox purred, tapping his fingers lightly on the glass. "You're going to hurt yourself. I'd rather you didn't—after all, I went to so much trouble to keep you safe and sound. Don't you see? You're right where you belong."

Baxter's eyes blazed with defiance, the frustration and humiliation seething inside him. He swam up to the glass, gesturing at Vox, trying to convey his anger with a look that could kill. Vox only laughed, the sound muffled but unmistakable, his cruel amusement shining through his smug grin.

Vox pulled up a chair and settled in beside the tank, watching Baxter with rapt attention. "Why don't you get comfortable, Baxter? You're going to be in there for quite a while." He leaned forward, his voice dripping with satisfaction. "And don't worry—I'll make sure you're well taken care of. After all, I wouldn't want my prized possession getting bored."

Baxter's defiant glare didn't waver, his mind racing for any possible way out. He wasn't going to let Vox win, no matter how hopeless it seemed. One way or another, he'd escape this twisted aquarium Vox had trapped him in. And when he did, he would make sure Vox regretted ever setting up this trap.

(A few days later)

Vox leaned back in his chair, a smug grin on his face as he watched Baxter swimming aimlessly inside the custom-built fish tank he'd set up. The tank was no ordinary aquarium—it was equipped with subtle enchantments that kept Baxter contained, every attempt at escape thwarted by invisible barriers and slight electric pulses that zapped him if he got too close to the edge. Vox found the whole situation endlessly amusing, enjoying his twisted sense of power as he watched Baxter glare at him from behind the glass.