Cybernetic Love

Chapter 2: Sabrina

The car came to a stop outside a nondescript building, red light spilling from the edges of a heavy, black metal door. Above it, the name of the place glowed in sharp neon letters: The Dungeon. My stomach dropped as I realized this wasn't the bar I had imagined. It was something else entirely.

"Mia," I gasped, turning to her with wide eyes. "You didn't tell me we were going here."

She smirked, her dark red lipstick catching the light. "And risk you chickening out? No way. Relax, Sabrina. It's just a club."

"A club?" I repeated, glancing nervously at the people slipping through the door in pairs and groups. Men in leather harnesses, women in corsets and sky-high heels, collars, leashes... "This isn't just any club, Mia."

"It's not like they're going to throw you into the dungeon, okay? Come on, live a little!" She pushed open her door and stepped out, the sound of her heels echoing as she strode confidently toward the entrance.

I stayed frozen in my seat, my fingers gripping the hem of my black latex dress. What was I thinking wearing this? It felt like every curve of my body was on display, the glossy fabric clinging to me like a second skin. I'd only meant to feel bold, to escape my usual reserved persona for one night. But now I felt like I'd stepped into a lion's den, and the latex was only making me stand out more.

Mia popped her head back in. "Sabrina, you're not staying in the car all night. Let's go." Her tone softened as she added, "Trust me. You're going to have fun."

I doubted it, but I forced myself to climb out of the car. The cool night air brushed my bare legs, and I shivered-not from the cold, but from nerves. Every step toward the club made my heels click louder, like a countdown to something I wasn't prepared for.

Inside, The Dungeon was an entirely different world.

The first thing I noticed was the music: deep, pulsing bass that seemed to vibrate through my chest. The second was the lighting, low and sultry, bathing everything in shades of red and black. Chains hung from the walls like decorations, and sleek leather couches were scattered throughout the space. On one of them, a man lounged with a woman kneeling at his feet, her leash coiled in his hand.

I swallowed hard, my throat dry as I took in the provocative scene. People moved through the room with an air of confidence, dressed in everything from leather and lace to... nothing at all. A woman in a corset and fishnets walked by, a man trailing behind her on all fours. My cheeks burned as I quickly averted my eyes.

"You look like a deer in headlights," Mia whispered in my ear, grinning as she leaned closer. "Don't worry. No one's going to bite unless you ask."

"This isn't what I signed up for," I hissed, my voice barely audible over the pounding music.

"Just stick with me. You'll be fine." And with that, Mia and the others disappeared into the crowd, leaving me standing alone in the middle of the chaos.

I wrapped my arms around myself, desperate to find somewhere to hide. Every glance I caught felt like it lingered too long, hungry and predatory. The latex dress suddenly felt suffocating, clinging too tightly to my body. I spotted a shadowed corner and made a beeline for it, my heels clicking softly against the floor as I tried to disappear.

From my hiding spot, I observed the club. A raised platform in the center held a man bound to a St. Andrew's cross, his chest bare as a woman in thigh-high boots teased him with a flogger. Nearby, two women lounged on a leather couch, their laughter mingling with the music as they watched the display. Every inch of the room oozed with confidence and power, two things I definitely did not feel.

I leaned back against the wall, closing my eyes for a moment to calm my racing heart. The heat of the room, the intensity of it all-it was overwhelming. Part of me wanted to leave, but another part was... intrigued. This was a world I'd only read about in forbidden books, and now, I was in the middle of it.

"Hey," a voice said, pulling me from my thoughts. I opened my eyes to see a man standing in front of me, his lips curled in an easy, confident smirk. He was tall, dressed in all black, with sharp features and a glint of something dangerous in his eyes. "You look new."

"I-yeah," I stammered, my cheeks flushing. "I'm just... observing."

He chuckled, leaning casually against the wall beside me. "Figured as much. You've got that nervous energy. It's cute."

I didn't know how to respond, so I said nothing, my fingers gripping the hem of my dress.

"You should relax," he said, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a small pill. "Here. This'll help."

I stared at it, my stomach twisting uneasily. "What is it?"

"Nothing dangerous," he said smoothly. "Just something to take the edge off. It's popular around here."

I hesitated, glancing around the room. The music pounded in my ears, the heat of the club pressing down on me. I felt so out of place, so raw and exposed. Maybe it would help. Maybe it would make this all easier.

Before I could overthink it, I reached out and took the pill, popping it into my mouth and swallowing it dry.

"Good girl," the man said with a grin. "You'll feel better in no time."

At first, nothing happened. But then a warm, tingling sensation spread through my body, starting at the base of my neck and rolling down to my toes. My skin felt hypersensitive, every brush of the latex against my thighs sending sparks up my spine. The music seemed louder, the bass vibrating through me, and the lights shimmered like liquid.

"You feel it yet?" the man asked, stepping closer.

I nodded, my breath coming faster as the sensations intensified. My vision blurred and sharpened all at once, and the heat pooling low in my stomach was impossible to ignore.

"You're gorgeous," he murmured, his hand brushing against my bare arm. The touch sent a jolt through me, and I shivered, my body betraying me even as my mind screamed for caution.

"Thanks," I managed to say, my voice shaky. I tried to step back, but the wall was already at my back.

"You're tense," he said, his hand sliding to my waist. "Just let go."

I swallowed hard, every nerve in my body on fire as his fingers trailed over the curve of my hip. I tried to push him away, but my limbs felt heavy, the drug coursing through me making it harder to think, harder to resist.

"Stop," I whispered, my voice barely audible. But he didn't stop. His grip tightened, his other hand sliding lower as I struggled to find my voice.

The room spun around me, the lights and music a blur as I fought against the heat and haze clouding my mind.