A soft chuckle made you stiffen like stone — metal dragging across metal in slow warnings telling you to keep still.

Your body was sore — throat dry as bone and hands were bound to the bed you lay on by a long chain. Dazed and uncertain, you move to stand, to gain lost footing only to yelp and crumble to the floor, rolling to your side as fire shot through your calves.

His soft brown eyes found your frame — you hadn't noticed his presence until he crouched before you, gaze narrowed in amusement...or anger, watching mundane details no one thought important. The curve of scars. The number of fading bruises. The bandages of wounds he'd always tend to.

Your blurred gaze couldn't tell what exactly he found interest in this time. His short hair was a matching shade of dark brown highlighted with glimmering coco under that dim, cruel light. That slim, thin lined smile sent shivers of ice down your spine.

He found you once more, dragged you back to this lonely little hell hole he wanted to call your own. The attic was dark and plain and cold enough to raise the hair on the back of your neck — your head weary in pain you couldn't really place aside from searing frost in your ankles.

"I only have one question for you, my dear." Your captor always held a sweet tone, comforting and safe and softspoken. "The easy way...or the hard way?" A deep breath left you, legs numbed and spine sore. You were dazed and left without protest as he straightened, carding his fingers through your hair before pulling your head back.

You couldn't even remember running this time...

When your head fell back again, eyes heavy and downcast, you took notice of the bandages around your ankles, white guaze stark and crisp in bearing of anguish, that burning pain. Your brow pinches. "W-what...did you- you..."

Ryota glances, interlaces his fingers, and hums. "Oh that? You're lucky I only...worked on your tendons." His smile falters, knuckles cracking. "I could've been merciless. Got rid of those troublesome legs of yours-"