L̸͟͞o̸͟͞c̸͟͞k̸͟͞e̸͟͞d̸͟͞ A̸͟͞w̸͟͞a̸͟͞y̸͟͞❀

Chapter 37

彡𝔖𝔢𝔠𝔯𝔢𝔱 ℜ𝔬𝔬𝔪彡

He grasped her wrist with a harsh grip, yanking her toward the imposing bookshelf that stood menacingly at the far end of the house. The shelves loomed like sentinels, their dark wood polished to a high sheen, reflecting the dim light that filtered through the heavy curtains. Each book was a silent guardian of secrets, their spines lined up in rigid formation, titles embossed in gold that seemed to glimmer with an unsettling allure. She had always considered the books there unwelcoming, their covers austere and devoid of any vibrant illustrations that might spark her imagination. Instead, they were filled with monotonous text, dense paragraphs that sprawled across pages like a labyrinth, holding no appeal for her youthful spirit.

In contrast, Richard was enthralled by those lifeless volumes. To him, they were portals to other worlds, each one a treasure trove of knowledge waiting to be unearthed.

He seized her wrist with a grip, yanking a book from the shelf, which caused it to creak and ominously rotate. The sound echoed through the dimly lit room, a haunting prelude to the unfolding nightmare. As the book shifted, the wall behind it groaned, revealing a hidden staircase that spiraled down into a dark void, an abyss that seemed to beckon with sinister intent.

Frozen in terror, she could only watch, her heart pounding in her chest, as he dragged her down the steps, her frantic cries reverberating in the tight space, swallowed by the oppressive darkness. Each step felt like a descent into madness, the air growing colder and heavier with each passing moment. Shadows danced along the walls, twisting and contorting as if alive, mocking her helplessness.

At the bottom, a dimly lit room came into view, the flickering light casting eerie shapes that flickered across the walls. The atmosphere was thick with neglect, revealing a small, dilapidated bed that sagged in the middle, its once vibrant fabric now faded and torn. Scattered around the room were forgotten artifacts-dusty broken furniture, all cloaked in a thick layer of dust that seemed to whisper secrets of despair.

It felt like a trap, a malevolent basement poised to engulf her completely. The air was heavy with the scent of mildew and decay, a reminder of the time that had slipped away in this forsaken place. She could feel the weight of the darkness pressing in on her, the walls closing in as if they were alive, eager to consume her. Panic surged within her, but her body remained paralyzed, caught in the web of fear he had spun around her.

He yanked her wrist with a force that made her gasp, flinging her onto the bed. The impact knocked the breath from her lungs, and Amy cradled her aching wrist, her heart racing as she stared at him, terror flooding her eyes. The room felt suffocating, the air thick with an unspoken threat. He leaned in, their faces inches apart, a sinister smile creeping across his lips, twisting his features into something unrecognizable.

"You wanted space so desperately. Well, here it is," he said, straightening up and gesturing toward the dark basement he had dragged her to. The shadows seemed to stretch and writhe, as if alive, and Amy's pulse quickened at the thought of what lay beyond that threshold.

"B-But I don't want to be here," she stammered, her voice shaking, barely above a whisper. The words felt like a feeble protest against the overwhelming reality of her situation.

"It's too late for that now, Amy," he replied, his tone dripping with mockery. "This is what you wished for, your precious 'space'." His laughter echoed in the small room, a chilling sound that sent shivers down her spine. "You'll remain here until you understand just how much you need me and how little 'space' you truly desire."

The weight of his words hung in the air, heavy and suffocating. Amy's mind raced, searching for a way out, a glimmer of hope in the darkness that surrounded her. She could feel the panic rising within her, clawing at her throat, but she fought to keep it at bay. She had to think clearly, had to find a way to escape this nightmare.

"Please," she pleaded, her voice trembling as she looked up at him, desperation etched across her face. "I didn't mean it like that. I just needed some time to breathe, to think."

He stepped back, crossing his arms, his expression shifting from amusement to something more serious. "Time to breathe? You think you can just push me away whenever you feel like it?" His voice grew colder, sharper, and Amy felt a chill run down her spine.

"I never wanted to hurt you," she said, her heart pounding in her chest. "I just needed space to figure things out. I thought you would understand."

"Understand?" he scoffed, his eyes narrowing. "You think I don't know what you really want? Enjoy your 'space' Amy"