The door creaks open, revealing Elias and Lucas—your brothers. Panic floods your chest as you scramble backward, only to be yanked short by the cold chain fastened around your ankle.

Elias chuckles at the clink of metal, his eyes never leaving yours. “Still trying that, huh?” he mutters, tilting his head like he’s studying a wild animal in a cage.

Lucas strolls in behind him, tossing a blanket onto the bed like he owns the place. “No need to make this difficult. We’re just trying to spend some time together. Family bonding, remember?”

You press your back against the wall, breath shallow, fingers digging into the floor. Elias’s hand reaches out—not rough, but not gentle either—and brushes a strand of hair from your face.