You kept defying me, little angel.

The noon air was warm and that warmth was scrupulously amiable with exhilarating freshness of the morning rime still in the air.

"What a bright day." He whispered, as he walked down the basement, his footsteps echoing around the dark hallway in threatening steps.

He swung opened the metal door that leads to The Basement, staring down at the man whose hands were chained up. His head dropped since he was too weak to raise it up.

Trace of dried blood and some fresh ones from different cut on his body littered the floor in different arrays.

"Day four of getting what a sleaze bag like you deserve, Mr Jones," he said, his deep voice revealing so much hostility, and his expression was deadly sedate.

"I was told that your name is Jones and today, I will be glad to be making a perfect design of your name."

"How does that sound, Mr Jones?" he mocked, crouched down to his level and grabbed his hair sturdily, making sure he was facing him.

"The fact that you aren't dead yet is interesting, but don't panic. I will make sure to have fun killing you myself for getting your hands on her."

"You stink so bad, Mr Jones... Should I wash you with some incense acid? No, I won't do that to you. Get me the basement knife," he ordered.

The man growled, as he roughly tightened the hold of his hair.

"Don't make those noise, man, it hilariously cringed."

"Here is it boss," the guard said, handling him the knife that appears like a dagger.

"I hoped you don't get infected because this knife has been used on countless assholes like you," he stated, envisioning a perfect place for the design.

"Where should I print the design on?" he asked sarcastically.

"Ahh... forget about it, I will print it on your forehead in case you survive, you will always remember it. I will appreciate if you really survive because you won't like the feeling of getting burnt over and over till your body turns into ashes. I think I'm wasting my time, so let's get the business started."

Mr Jones...

"M.." He pressed the knife on his forehead head and he screamed out loudly.

R... He howled more loudly this time, almost bringing the whole basement down.

"I thought you couldn't speak, were you reserving your energy for this?"

"J..." He screamed out earning a hard slap that sent blood rushing out of his nose.

"If I hear you screaming again, I will sink this knife on your stomach and twist out your intestines for you to see, you bastard." He snarled in an unrestrained anger.

"O... N... E...S, completed," he said, standing up.

The man has already passed out from pain.

"Your name is quite short, I should have thought of something much longer," he said, dropping the bloody knife and strolling out of the basement to his room.

He walked inside his bathroom room to take a clean shower.

He put on a plush sleeping robe once he was done and sat down on the couch in his room while he poured himself a drink, inspecting the sleeping damsel on his bed.

________

The air in this new world carried an intoxicating fragrance, a delightful blend of lavender and peppermint that tickled my nose. Even with my eyes closed, I could feel the magic in the air, assuring me that I had entered a realm of beauty and wonder.

As I slowly regained consciousness, I relished the sensation of my body enveloped in pure comfort, as if lying on a cloud-like mattress and cocooned in the embrace of luxuriously soft blankets.

The anticipation grew within me, urging me to open my eyes and witness the splendor surrounding me. I had tried before, in vain, but this time, a voice inside me whispered, "Let's try one more time."

I gradually fluttered my eyelids open, revealing a sight I had not anticipated. Instead of the afterlife or an entirely unknown realm, I found myself gazing up at the ceiling of an exquisite house—a tangible world that reaffirmed my existence.

Confusion swirled in my mind. How was I still alive? Where was I exactly?

I shifted, feeling the gentle resistance of the soft, expansive bed beneath me. The room exuded a subdued ambiance, bathed in a muted glow emitted by a wide window adorned with fuchsia-colored curtains, ensconced within heavier ebony drapes. A magnificent diamond chandelier hung from the ceiling, casting dazzling specks of light across the space. Opposite me, a colossal 74-inch flat-screen TV adorned the wall, its sleek presence contrasting with the room's classic elegance.

The side of the room was hedged by some beautiful black couches and a large table in the middle of it.

I think it noon by the look of it, I thought as my eyes traveled to the right and it met with a large dark painting of a naked woman with the symbol of the moon on her left hand, series of long constellation of stars around her head. A long snake curling around her neck; The tip of her tongue meeting with the snake forked tongue.

Something about it was quite disturbing, I thought, rubbing the back of my head where I was feeling some pain.

As I absently rubbed the back of my head, a faint ache reminded me of the mysterious events that had led me here. Fragments of memories began to resurface—a wooden blow causing my consciousness to fade, a desperate plea for release.

"Mia... I'm sorry..." The memory flashed through my mind, bringing with it a surge of concern for someone dear to me.

Mia—her name echoed within me, triggering a wave of anxiety. I recalled the late-night encounter with that vile individual after leaving the club. The recollection of his presence ignited a flame of fury within me, fueling my desire to uncover the truth of what he had done to me and the fate that had befallen Mia.

Without hesitation, I made my way off the opulent bed and rushed towards the door, determined to seek answers and find Mia.

"Sleeping beauty is awake."

That deep voice I never wanted to hear ever again.

My eyes darted round the almost dark room and they landed on him. He was sitting on the couch sipping some wine.

He was blending so well with the darkness as if he was made with it, and he was looking more alluring and even more dangerous than the last time I saw him.

Confusion and terror mingled on my face as I struggled to find my voice. "W-What are... you doing here?" I managed to stutter.

"Is that how you thank someone who saved you?" he retorted, his deep voice permeating the room, resonating with authority.

"Save me? You saved me?" I questioned, grappling to process his words and the complexity of the situation.

"Yes! And in case you don't know, you have been receiving treatment here since you almost lost your life," he responded, his voice carrying a mix of vexation and a strange kind of concern.

"You should thank me instead of asking dumb questions," he said, frowning his brows.

"I have no idea what you are saying, but thank you. I sincerely appreciate your kindness. I have to go now." I thanked him and said.

"What did you say?" he asked, his deep voice sounding more sterner, as he glared at me with a grave expression making me want to shrink to the floor and disappear.

"I said I have to go," I repeated.

A flicker of surprise crossed his face, followed by a twisted smile. "You truly have spirit, little angel."

"Now turn around and go back to bed, don't make me repeat myself." He ordered in a harsh voice, and I found myself following his order.

No, I can't do this. Mia is somewhere in the hospital waiting for me to get the money for her drugs. I can't just stay here doing nothing, I thought and moved to the door again and to my disappointment, it was locked.

"You kept on defying me, little angel," he uttered with a low disturbing voice, as he strolled towards me in dangerous steps.

I stood there looking in horror, trembling so hard as I tried to act innocent thinking it would save me.

But it didn't...