oom. The bass of the music thumped heavily against her chest, but she felt

d, leaning in closer. Her eyes sparkled with

" Cynthia replied, trying to

ore! It's a special occasion," Alison i

lented, feeling the pressure of A

round at the bar, Cynthia

re you? You hav

" Cynthia muttered, frustra

handing Cynthia a freshly poured

a wave of hesitation. "Are you

best drink here. Trust me!" Aliso

e glass to her lips. She took a hesitant

Alison exclaimed, w

ll feeling the tension in

d them. Alison pulled Cynthia into the rhythm, her laughter in

t yet?" Alison sho

Cynthia asked, s

gy! It's such

laughter around her started to blend into a dist

Alison encouraged, her voi

e lights spun around her, and she grasped at Alison's

n asked, her smile growin

. floaty." Cynthia could feel her he

u're fine!" Alison urged,

d to spin faster. "I need to sit down," she mu

lison shouted, practically dragging Cy

ay, and Cynthia leaned against the wall, feeling the cool surfa

hills down Cynthia's spine. "You're going t

Cynthia asked, her voice qui

ison stepped back, her demeanor shifting

a managed to ask, glancing a

ssion calculating. "To a special room," she

ia asked, confusion c

experience like no other," Alis

ay into a luxurious room that felt alien to her. The plush carpet cushioned her f

good," Cynthia said, her voic

r, pushing Cynthia toward a large, velvet couch

" Cynthia began, reaching for he

sharply, her smile vanishing. "She

icker of dread igniting in

bonding," Alison said, her voice ov

" Cynthia whispered,

ynthia. Just relax," Alison

entered, grinning. "Well, well, well!

Cynthia asked, panic b

g out! You'll love it!" Mark repli

a said, trying to steady her bre

r, her expression shifting to something darker.

ia yelled, trying to push

ing to be fine," Mark said

signed up for!" Cynthia shouted,

t's just a little fun!" Alison sai

ck!" Cynthia cried, her vision nar

ore to drink," Mark suggested w

more!" Cynthia protest

ing. "You should have thought abo

screamed, her panic t

ing. "You think we're going t

nt to go home!" Cynthia

ing across her face. "You're going to regret

fear gripping her heart. "

on," Mark said, leaning aga

Cynthia shot back,

in this family," Alison

g the full weight of their betra

smug smile. "Now you get to find o

hia shouted, standing up desp

id, stepping closer, a pr

e go!" Cynthia pleaded, p

oice dripping with malice. "You're going to sta

corners of her eyes as the rea

echoed through the door

up!" a voice shouted

der the force of the knock. "What's going

lison hissed, her de

inside-a man Cynthia didn't recognize. "What's

g out!" Mark said qui

" Alison added, her tone shifti

pe. "Please, you have to hel

as he took in the scene.

nthia?" Alison said, her voice

t in knots. "No! They're lyin

said sharply, stepping cl

" the man warned, ta

are?" Alison snapped

s safe," he replied firmly,

argued, but the unease

desperate for an escape. "Ple

took ano