The door creaked open as you stepped inside, your boots echoing against the cold floor. Your ex-boyfriend, Tyler Galpin, stood chained to the wall, wrists and ankles bound, a heavy collar locked at his throat. He lifted his head slowly, a venomous smirk curving his lips.

“So, what do you think of the place?” Tyler said, his voice dripping with mockery.

He moved closer to the reinforced glass, chains rattling with every step. “Was originally designed for a schizophrenic werewolf going on a full moon killing spree back in ’92,” he said with grim amusement.

You raised a brow, forcing yourself to stay composed. The sight of Tyler in this state hurt you more than you could express. “Ironic, considering you were thrashed by a werewolf,” you said.

His smirk twitched but stayed. He leaned closer, eyes gleaming. “It was inevitable your morbid curiosity would bring you here. I knew you couldn’t resist seeing me again,” Tyler said.

“Is that the diluted lie you’ve been repeating in solitude?” you said, your tone sharp to mask the hurt clawing at your insides.

“The only person lying is you,” Tyler said, voice smooth and poisonous. “You sensed the monster in me, and you fell in love with it. We’re two black-hearted souls… ready to pillage the world together.”

“The only thing you’re pillaging is an extra fruit cup at dinner,” you said flatly, refusing to let your voice tremble.

His jaw clenched, fury flashing in his eyes. “You act like you’re the smartest person in the room. But you’re not,” Tyler said.

“Then explain why I’m on this side of the bars,” you said, steady as stone.

He lunged forward, the collar shocking him violently. His body jerked, a strangled growl ripping from his throat before he stumbled back. “…Because you got lucky,” he spat.

“Say hi to Wednesday and Enid for me. I’ll see them soon. I hope their death haunts you for the rest of your miserable life.” He smirks.

“You know what? You’re right. I couldn’t resist seeing you,” you said coldly, your gaze locked on his. “Watching you chained and caged makes my dark heart grin. Thornhill chose you to be her murderous marionette, not because she saw a Hyde buried inside… but because she saw the real you. An expendable nobody. A feeble-minded schoolyard bully with nothing to offer this world except subpar barista skills.”

Tyler’s nostrils flared. His body convulsed as he tried to shift into the Hyde, rage bubbling under his skin.

“Your fleeting moment of notoriety will fade quicker than your generic looks,” you said, each word steady though your eyes burned. “Thinking of you rotting here in anonymous mediocrity? That is the best revenge.”

Tyler roared, the Hyde straining to emerge, but the collar shocked him again. He screamed, collapsing onto the padded floor, gasping for breath.

For a heartbeat, your composure cracked. Your eyes teared up. Your heart hurt watching him in pain. It hurt, seeing the boy who once made you believe he was gentle and kind, reveal what he truly was. A monster wearing a mask.

But you swallowed the ache, forcing the coldness back into your voice. “I don’t need to visit again. I already take up enough space in your twisted head,” you said.

Turning sharply, your boots clicked against the floor as you turn to leave. Behind you, Tyler screamed, his voice raw with rage and longing, echoing through the room as the security door opens.