wall, trying to keep her eyes focused. The figure standing before her was tall and imposing

oice boomed through the dimly lit room, hi

heart racing as she searched for a way

epping closer, his eyes narrowi

Cynthia explained, desperation creeping into

his expression unreadable

they set me up!" she cried, glancing back toward th

he room, a triumphant smirk on her face

as he regarded Alison.

eet yet laced with malice. "She was feeling overwhelmed at t

skepticism in his eyes. "You thought i

excitement. Isn't that what you like?" Alison repli

in Alison's words. "No! That's not what I wan

but cautious. "So, you're telling

d, her heart racing. "

being dramatic, Cynthia. Arnold is a billiona

vantage of?" Cynthia shot back, h

low and predatory. "Relax,

ainly are," she snapped, c

rritation. "Cynthia, stop making this harder than i

smirk forming on his lips as he took a ste

Right, Arnold?" Alison interjected, h

een interest. "You look like you

t his words. "I don't want any

med, her voice raising slightly. "This is your

want my life back!" Cynthia shoute

s arms as he leaned against the wal

ant to be here!" she insisted, feeling

," Alison said with an edge of

f you hadn't set me up!" Cynthia s

ued further. "Set you

arning. "It's just a little sisterly bon

nvolves manipulating someone," Arn

ong word," Alison replied,

bling but fierce. "It's exactly what they

ed as he turned to A

now how to have fun," Alison said, her

nold replied, his tone stern. "You're

forced. "You're overreacting. Cynthia is j

being humiliated?" Cynthi

ped, his patience thinni

claimed, the weight of the situation

or shifting to one of irritation. "You

le scheme?" Cynthia retorted

"I think you two need to sort this out. And

" Alison hissed, her facade crack

a fool of her?" Arnold sho

s to learn how to enjoy herself!"

Arnold's attention turned back

ing the pressure of the moment suffoc

ng through the tension in the room. "If

one of anger and frustration.

her from you," Arnold r

urned to her. "Cynthia, if you want to

ou really think she's going

the thought of escape. "I... I d

old said firmly, mov

her expression fierce. "You can'

her, his expression

belong with us!" Alison exclaimed,

ady?" Arnold asked,

o!" Cynthia cried, re

ed forward. "You're making a huge mistake,

e thought of being free from Alison's grasp fueled her resolve. "I

paused, turning to Cynthia with a conc

eart racing with urgency.

nold opened the door, and they s

ind them. "You'll regret

away from the chaos of the room. "What happens n

ere. This is not a safe place for you

back one last time, a shiver of dread creeping

his gaze intense. "Trust me

corner, Cynthia suddenl

she asked, her he

cing back toward the

lway, chilling Cynthia to her core.

recognized the voice-it was Al