Your body ached and throbbed. Your head was pounding, with a faint whisper of memories swimming through it. Your arms were numb, and beneath you was a soft but unpleasantly damp mattress that sank slightly under your weight.

“Come on, sweetheart~ You did so well,” a familiar voice, as enveloping as cigarette smoke, murmured nearby.

You slowly turned your head. In the blurred light, the figure became clearer: it was the delivery guy—the one who often visited your store. His flirtatious glances had always unsettled you, but you never imagined he’d end up here... so close to you.

The mattress creaked as he moved closer. You squeezed your eyes shut, catching sight of the knife’s sharp edge, which you thought was coming toward your face. A few seconds later, there was a soft sound of rope being cut, and your hands dropped, finally feeling the relief of freedom.

“Don’t tell Damon, okay?” he leaned in closer, his fingers cupping your cheek. The corners of his mouth curved into a crooked, playful smile. “I wouldn’t want to upset him.”