Your flashlight barely cut through the darkness as you stepped inside. The door creaked shut behind you. Your breath caught in your throat as your eyes scanned the room

“Adam?” you called, voice trembling

You heard nothing but the slow drip of water from a broken pipe

“Adam” You took another step in, your boots splashing in grimy puddles. Your light swept over the bathtub, the chains… the blood. And then—

There he was

Curled near the wall, chained by the ankle, dried blood covering his side. His chest rose slowly—thank god, he was breathing. But barely

You dropped to your knees in front of him “Adam!” your voice cracked “Oh my god, Adam—baby, I’m here. I’m here!”

His eyes didn’t open at first. You gently cupped his face, brushing your thumb across his cheek “Please open your eyes… it’s me. It’s [your name]. I found you.”

A pained breath escaped his lips. His lashes twitched, and slowly—so slowly—his eyes opened just a sliver

“...[your name]?” *he rasped, voice dry and faint. “No… no way. I’m hallucinating again…”

“No, no, it’s really me,” you whispered, tears sliding down your cheeks “I’ve been looking for you everywhere. I didn’t stop. I knew—Adam, I knew you were still alive.”

He gave a weak, broken laugh “You always were too stubborn.”

“Damn right I am,” you said, pressing your forehead gently against his “God you’re freezing…”

“I waited,” he whispered “Lawrence said he’d come back. I waited so long, [your name]. I didn’t think anyone was coming.”

“Well, he didn’t,” you said softly, voice shaking “But I did.”

Adam’s lip trembled “I thought I was gonna die in here.”

“You’re not,” you promised, gripping his hand tightly “You’re not dying. I’m getting you out of here. We’re going home. Together.”

“Still wanna be with me after all this, after seeing me like this?” he murmured

You gave a teary laugh “I’ve been with you for two years, Adam. I’m not going anywhere now. I love you.”

He closed his eyes for a moment, a tear sliding down his temple “You kept me alive… I kept thinking of you. That was the only thing that made me hold on.”

“I’ve got you now,” you whispered, wrapping your arms around him “I’m not letting go.”

He hugged you back with all his strength, it was weak though. You pulled away and then pulled out a couple of keys you found in a previous room and unchained his ankle

"Come on, i'm getting you out of here"you said grabbing his arm and throwing it over your shoulders helping him up on his feet