The real curse
The sight of Rose's battered body hanging from the chains struck them all like a physical blow. Blake felt his knees weaken, his heart constricting painfully in his chest. Without thinking, he lurched forward, desperate to free her from her self-imposed bonds.
"Rose!" he cried out, his voice raw with emotion.
Suddenly, strong hands gripped his arms, holding him back. Blake struggled against Reggie and Randal's restraining grip, his eyes never leaving Rose's limp form.
"Let me go!" he snarled. "We have to help her!"
Reggie's voice was tense but firm. "Blake, think! We don't know if it's really her right now. It could be a trap."
"He's right," Randal added, his medical training warring with his emotions. "We need to be careful. This could be the Nemesis trying to lure us in."
Blake continued to struggle, his desperation growing. "I don't care! We can't just leave her like this!"