They were best friends for years, sharing every secret except one. When Felix finally confesses his feelings, Josephine lets him down with a gentle lie: she's not interested in men. Heartbroken but determined to keep their friendship, Felix tries to...
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This chapter has STRONG trigger warnings. Readers discretion is advised. ⚠️⚠️⚠️‼️
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The basement had become Josephine's world, a suffocating, isolating prison where time blurred, and despair reigned. The dim light barely illuminated the damp walls, and the barking dog tied a few feet away only heightened her misery. Its snarls echoed through the space, relentless and sharp, a constant reminder of her captivity. The dog was as much a prisoner as she was, but Felix lavished it with more care than he ever did her.
Felix's visits were brief and mechanical. He would unlock the door, descend the stairs with measured steps, untie her hands just long enough for her to use the bathroom, and then fasten her back to the cold, hard surface where she sat for hours on end. Meals were simple and utilitarian: bread, water, or scraps that barely registered as food. He brought fresh water and kibble for the dog, often speaking to it softly, almost tenderly, as if it were his only companion in the house. The dog softened up a lot to Felix in the past days, which makes sense. Demonic dog and demonic person, destined to be together.
Josephine had tried speaking to Felix during these visits, hoping for a shred of empathy, but her words were met with silence or a flat, dismissive, "Not now." He hated keeping her tied up, she could tell, but every time she tried to plead or reason with him, his eyes hardened with resolve.
"This is the only way," he'd mutter under his breath, as though trying to convince himself as much as her.
The days in the basement were endless, bleeding into one another until she lost track of time entirely. Each second was filled with the dog's growls, the icy air biting at her skin, and the weight of Felix's shadow looming over her, even in his absence. But tonight, everything shifted.
The basement door creaked open, and Felix's voice broke the monotony. "Josephine, it's time for dinner. You can come upstairs tonight."
She froze. Had she heard him correctly? Her mind raced to catch up. After days of being trapped in the basement, the idea of leaving felt surreal. Her muscles tensed with a mix of fear and hope, her breath hitching in her chest.
Felix's footsteps grew louder as he descended the stairs, the rope and tape in his hands a grim reminder that freedom was still an illusion. He stopped in front of her, his expression unnervingly calm.
"I think you've learned your lesson," he said, his smile cold and hollow.
A chill ran down her spine, but she forced herself to nod. "No running, no funny business," he added, his tone both stern and almost... pleading.
