Darkness had swallowed her whole.
Fei Ruyan lay motionless, her wrists raw from the coarse ropes, her body trembling beneath the crushing weight of despair. Her once-bright eyes had dulled to empty glass, void of hope. She no longer screamed. She no longer struggled.
The light inside her was gone as she heard the footsteps disappearing. She closed her eyes as the monster leaned in, his foul breath brushing her cheek. His rough, unwashed fingers caressed her tear-streaked skin.
"You're beautiful when you cry," he murmured, his voice thick with perverse amusement.
She flinched, letting her tears fall freely. It's over, she thought. No one was coming to save her. Please... just let it end, she whispered in her heart as the sound of his belt buckle jingled faintly. And just as darkness was starting to consume her whole, a loud crash shattered the silence.
