Dreams dissolve into darkness as I claw my way to consciousness. My eyelids feel weighted, like they're stitched shut with invisible thread. I force them open, blinking against the disorientation.

Silk sheets caress my skin, impossibly soft, like sleeping on a cloud. For one blissful moment, I wonder if everything, the hard drive, Lilly's confession, the syringe, was just a nightmare.

Then reality crashes down as I take in my surroundings.

Concrete walls. Exposed pipes. I immediately recognize I’m in a basement.

Not just any basement.

"No," I whisper, my voice cracking. "No, no, no."

I know exactly where I am. The same underground prison where Evelyn spent her final weeks being tortured. The basement from those videos. Lilly's torture chamber.

I try to sit up, but my head spins violently, whatever drug she used still coursing through my system. The movement causes something to shift beneath the blankets. Cold metal brushes against my ankle.

With trembling hands, I throw back the covers and stare in horror at the heavy chain securing my left ankle to a bolt in the floor. The same setup I saw in those videos.

"Help!" I scream, my voice bouncing off concrete walls. "SOMEE!"

Only silence answers.

My screams die in my throat as I hear footsteps above me, the unmistakable creak of someone descending wooden stairs. The basement door swings open, spilling harsh light down the staircase.

Lilly appears, silhouetted against the brightness, a pizza box balanced in one hand. Her ponytail swings with each careful step as she makes her way down, her movements deliberate and graceful even while carrying food.

"Sorry, baby," she calls out, her voice cheerful and completely at odds with the horror of my situation. "I just got back. Had to grab us some dinner." She holds up the pizza box like it's some kind of peace offering.

Something breaks inside me. The casual normality of her tone, the way she's acting like this is just another date night instead of a kidnapping, it shatters whatever composure I've been clinging to. Tears flood my eyes, spilling hot down my cheeks as I curl into myself.

"Lilly," I sob, my voice cracking with desperation. "Please don't do this. Please let me go."

She sets the pizza box on a small table near the stairs, her expression shifting to something like disappointment. "I thought you'd be hungry by now," she says, ignoring my pleas completely. "You've been out for almost fourteen hours."

"Fourteen hours?" I repeat, trying to make sense of the time I've lost. "Chris, he'll be wondering where I am. People will notice I'm missing."

Lilly shrugs, her face shifting into a mask of indifference as she approaches the bed. "Then I guess the police will just assume whatever happened to Evelyn happened to you, too." She says it so casually, like she's commenting on the weather.

"Lilly, come on," I plead, my voice breaking as the full horror of my situation sinks in. The chain around my ankle feels heavier with each passing second.

She ignores my desperation, tilting her head with that analytical expression I once found endearing but now recognize as something far more sinister. "Are you thirsty? I brought water."

"Lilly..." My voice trails off as I stare at her.

She retrieves a bottle of water from beside the pizza box and approaches me, unscrewing the cap.

"I'm not going to drug you again unless you make me," she says, offering the bottle. "I'd rather you be awake. It's no fun when you're unconscious."

I take the water with trembling hands, my throat suddenly parched. Trust nothing, a voice in my head warns, but thirst overrides caution. I sniff the water suspiciously before taking a sip.

"It's not poisoned," Lilly says with a laugh that sends chills down my spine. "If I wanted you dead, you'd be dead already."

"Why are you doing this?" I ask, clutching the water bottle like it's my only lifeline. "You don't have to keep me chained up. I won't tell anyone what I saw, I swear."

Lilly's face hardens as she takes a step closer to me, her green eyes piercing into mine with cold calculation.

"If I let you go, you most certainly would rat me out," she says matter-of-factly. "Because of your little brother."

She sits on the edge of the bed, her weight barely disturbing the silk sheets. "And I actually admire your loyalty to him. It's quite touching."

My eyes widen at the mention of Chris. My heart hammers against my ribs so hard I'm sure she can hear it.

"Relax," she says, reaching out to stroke my cheek. I flinch away from her touch. "I keep telling you I won't hurt him. I'm not joking about that."

She stands and paces the small area at the foot of the bed, her ponytail swinging with each deliberate step. "Killing Rose and Evelyn," she continues, nodding to herself as if confirming something in her own mind, "in the long term, those are forgivable actions. You'll move on from those losses eventually."

I stare at her in disbelief, unable to process how she can talk about murder so casually.

"But I'm not stupid, Seth," she says, her voice taking on an annoyed edge. "If I hurt your annoying little brother, you'd never forgive me."

"Stay away from him," I manage to choke out, pulling against the chain until the metal bites into my ankle. "I swear to God, Lilly…"

"God has nothing to do with this," she interrupts, picking up a slice of pizza from the box. She offers it to me, steam still rising from the cheese. When I don't take it, she shrugs and takes a bite herself. "I've already told you, Chris is safe. My parents adore him. He's happy in his new home."

I lunge toward her, forgetting the restraint for a split second. The chain goes taut, yanking me backward with enough force to send pain shooting up my leg.

"You're only hurting yourself," Lilly observes, wiping a bit of sauce from the corner of her mouth with her thumb. "And that makes me sad."

Lilly's eyes fall to the chain around my ankle, her expression softening as she sets the pizza slice aside. She wipes her hands on a napkin and sits on the edge of the bed, careful to maintain some distance between us.

"I got you the nicest bed I could find," she says, her voice gentler now. "Brought it in myself."

I glance down at the silk sheets beneath me, registering their impossible softness against my skin. The mattress is thick and supportive, the pillows perfectly plush. It's like a luxury hotel bed placed incongruously in this concrete hell.

"Do you like it?" she asks, almost shy, like we're a normal couple decorating our first apartment together.

I don’t know how to answer that.

Lilly reaches out, hesitating when I flinch, then continues anyway, her fingertips grazing my cheek with something that feels like her usual love.

"I want you to be comfortable here, Seth," she says, her green eyes searching mine. "I don't want to hurt you," she continues, her thumb catching a tear as it slides down my face. "That was never the plan. Not for you."

The contrast between her words and actions makes my head spin. She kidnapped me, chained me up, but wants me comfortable? I can't make sense of any of this.

"But Seth," her voice hardens just slightly, "if you refuse to be compliant, you might force my hand."

The threat lands like a physical blow. More tears spill over, hot trails of fear and desperation streaming down my face. I think of Evelyn's mutilated hands, her missing fingers, the cold calculation in Lilly's eyes as she tortured her.

Lilly leans in suddenly, her lips aiming for mine. I jerk my head away, the movement so sharp it sends pain shooting down my neck.

"Don't," I manage to croak out.

Her expression flickers, something dangerous crossing her face before she smooths it away with a practiced smile. She shifts her approach, her lips finding my neck instead, trailing soft kisses along my throat.

"Seth, please," she whispers against my skin, her voice a honeyed plea that once would have melted me completely. "I love you."

I twist away again, my stomach churning with revulsion. "Stop it. Get off me."

The tenderness in her expression vanishes instantly. Her eyes harden into emerald chips as she grabs my shoulders, shoving me down against the mattress with surprising strength. Her nails dig into my skin through my t-shirt as she straddles me, pinning me beneath her weight.

"Seth," she growls, her voice dropping to a dangerous register I've never heard before. "I said please."

The threat in those three words sends ice through my veins. I go completely still beneath her.

"There," she says, her voice softening as she misinterprets my fear for compliance. "That's better."

Her lips find mine again, and this time I don't pull away.

I surrender to her kiss, letting her claim my mouth even as my insides twist with disgust. Her tongue slides against mine, familiar yet alien now that I know the truth about who she really is. The taste of her fills my senses, bringing back memories of happier times that feel like they happened to someone else.

I remain as still as possible, my body rigid beneath hers. I won't give her the satisfaction of my participation. Yet despite everything, despite knowing she's a murderer, a torturer, a monster wearing the face of my girlfriend, my traitorous body still recognizes her. Still responds to her.

Her fingers tangle in my hair, pulling slightly in that way she knows I like. I hate that she knows me so well. Hate that part of me still craves her touch even as my mind recoils from it.

"Kiss me back," she murmurs against my lips, her voice halfway between a command and a plea.

I comply mechanically, moving my lips against hers with the minimum effort required to avoid making her angry. My hands remain limp at my sides, refusing to touch her even though they're free to do so.

When she finally pulls away, her eyes search mine, looking for something I'm no longer willing to give. The disappointment on her face would be comical if the situation weren't so terrifying.

"That wasn't very convincing," she says, sitting back, still straddling me. "I know you can do better."

"I'm trying," I lie, my voice barely above a whisper. "It's just... a lot to process."

Lilly's expression darkens, her eyes narrowing as she studies my face. She leans in closer, her breath hot against my ear.

"Well," she whispers, her voice sending chills down my spine, "if you don’t want to be punished, you should probably kiss me like your life depends on it. Because it just might."

The threat isn't even veiled. Fear grips me as I stare into those cold green eyes. I know what she's capable of. What those hands have done.

Lilly leans forward again, her face hovering inches from mine. This time, she parts her lips slightly, her tongue darting out to wet them in deliberate invitation. She pulls me closer with one hand firmly gripping the back of my neck, making escape impossible.

My heart hammers as she traces her tongue across my bottom lip, tasting me before our mouths even connect. My body remembers her, wants her, even as my mind screams in revulsion.

I surrender to instinct. Meeting her halfway, I let my tongue slide against hers, returning her intensity with a performance of my own. The familiar dance of our mouths feels like muscle memory. I can't deny the heat that floods through me, the treacherous pleasure that comes from her skilled touch.

"That's better," she purrs against my mouth, her fingers threading through my hair.

Her lips move from mine to my neck, sending electric pulses through my body despite my disgust. I feel myself hardening beneath her, my body betraying my mind's revulsion.

As she grinds against me, I feel my resolve weakening. The physical pleasure threatens to overwhelm my terror. She tugs at my shirt, pulling it over my head before I can protest, then her mouth is on my chest, leaving hot trails with her tongue.

I'm losing myself in the sensations as Lilly works her way down my body. Her hands tug at my pants, yanking them down my hips, but they catch on the metal shackle around my ankle. She grunts in frustration, giving one more forceful pull before abandoning the effort.

"Damn it," she mutters, sitting back on her heels. "I should have thought this through better."

She stands up, her movements fluid and controlled as she begins to undress herself. First her shirt, then her bra, revealing the body I've touched a thousand times before. Her skin glows pale in the dim basement lighting as she shimmies out of her jeans and underwear in one smooth motion.

Completely naked now, she climbs back on top of me, straddling my hips. Her weight settles on me, familiar yet terrifying in this new context.

"There we go," she whispers, leaning down to kiss me again.

As her lips press against mine, a desperate thought flashes through my mind. I could bite her. Sink my teeth into her bottom lip, her tongue, her throat, draw blood, cause pain, maybe even incapacitate her long enough to find a way out of these chains.

My jaw tenses, teeth clenching as I prepare to strike. But reason floods back before I can act. What happens after? What if she doesn't have the key on her? What if she's hidden it somewhere I'll never find? I'd be chained here, helpless, with an injured and furious Lilly.

And Chris, what about Chris? She's promised not to hurt him, but can I trust anything she says? If I attack her and fail, what's to stop her from changing her mind, from directing her sadistic attention toward my little brother?

I force my jaw to relax, swallowing back the violent impulse. I need to play along. Need to survive. Need to find another way out of this nightmare.

"What's wrong?" Lilly asks, pulling back slightly to study my face. "You tensed up."

"Nothing," I lie, forcing a smile that feels like it might crack my face. "Just... overwhelmed."

She smiles, seemingly satisfied with my answer. "You're so beautiful when you're vulnerable," she whispers, tracing my jawline with her fingertip. "I've dreamed of having you like this. All to myself."

Lilly shifts her weight, leaning back to examine my face. Something in her expression changes, a calculating gleam entering those green eyes.

"I want to try something different," she announces, her voice dropping to that silky tone that used to make my knees weak. "I want you on top today."

"Show me how much you love me, Seth," she continues, her eyes never leaving mine. "I want you to do all the work."

It's not a request. The underlying threat is clear despite her gentle tone. This is a challenge, a test of my willingness to play along with her twisted game.

"Okay," I whisper, hating how eager I sound to please her.

We maneuver carefully, our bodies shifting in a delicate dance as she guides me above her. The chain around my ankle limits my movement, forcing me to be mindful of each adjustment. The cold metal scrapes against my skin, a constant reminder of my captivity.

Once she's beneath me, Lilly spreads her legs wider, her hands moving between her thighs. Her fingers part her glistening folds as she looks up at me with that predatory smile.

"Well?" she asks, eyebrows raised in expectation.

I hesitate, disgust, and desire warring inside me. My body wants her, a primal, physical response I can't control.

"Don't keep me waiting," she warns, her voice hardening just enough to send a chill down my spine.

I position myself at her entrance, a war raging inside me. My body craves her while my mind screams in protest. With one slow push, I sink into her welcoming heat and nearly collapse from the overwhelming sensation. Her body takes me in completely, wet and tight and perfect around me.

"Fuck," I whisper, unable to contain the word as pleasure shoots through me like electricity. I hate myself for it, but she feels incredible.

Lilly's eyes gleam with triumph. "Don't hold back," she commands, her hands sliding up my arms to grip my shoulders. "I want to hear you. Every sound."

I nod, my jaw clenched so tight it aches. I begin to move, drawing back before pushing forward again. Each thrust pulls a small, involuntary sound from my throat, whimpers and gasps I can't suppress.

"Fuck, Lilly," I groan again, as I pick up speed, my hips finding a rhythm that makes her arch beneath me. Our bodies move together with practiced familiarity, like puzzle pieces designed to fit together perfectly.

Her nails dig into my back, leaving crescents in my skin that will mark me as hers. Her legs wrap around my waist, pulling me deeper. The chain around my ankle rattles with each movement, a metallic reminder of my captivity that somehow only heightens the twisted pleasure.

"Do you like my pussy?" she asks, her voice breathy but demanding.

I close my eyes, losing myself in sensation. "I love it," I admit, the truth tasting bitter on my tongue.

Her hands cup my face, forcing me to look at her. "Like you love me?" she asks, her eyes searching mine for something I'm no longer sure I can give.

I say nothing.

Her expression suddenly darkens, eyes turning cold and dangerous as she stares up at me. The shift is so abrupt it's terrifying, like watching a mask slip to reveal something evil beneath.

She starts matching my thrusts with her hips, creating a rhythm that's too perfect, too intense. The sensation is overwhelming, pleasure building too quickly.

"Wait," I gasp, my voice strained. "Don't do that, I'll finish too soon."

A smile curves her lips, but it doesn't reach those cold eyes. "That's fine," she purrs, gripping my hips tighter, forcing me deeper. "I want you to cum in me. I want you to get me pregnant."

Her words hit me like an atom bomb. My body betrays me instantly, responding to her command before my brain can process it. I feel myself erupting inside her, pleasure and horror colliding as my release tears through me.

"Oh god," I groan, unable to stop the waves of ecstasy even as disgust floods my system.

She takes my face between her hands, forcing me to look directly into those merciless green eyes as I empty myself inside her.

"Tell me you love me, Seth," she demands, her voice soft but unyielding.

"I love you," I whisper, my voice breaking on each syllable. I don't even know if I mean it anymore. Maybe I do. Maybe I'm just terrified.

Tears spill down my cheeks as she pulls me closer, my body still shuddering with pleasure I didn't want but couldn't resist. She cradles me against her chest like I'm something precious while I'm still inside her.

"I love you too, Seth," she murmurs into my hair, her voice suddenly tender. "More than anything."

I collapse against her, exhausted and hollow. My tears wet her skin as she strokes my back, her touch gentle now, almost motherly. The contrast between her tenderness and what she's done, what she's capable of, makes my head spin.

"There, there," she soothes, kissing the top of my head. "That wasn't so hard, was it?"