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“Thanks to my most loyal friend,” Sneik sneered, making no attempt to hide his satisfaction. “Rules, my dear Nova. They are in place for a reason—to prevent chaos.”
I could hear the soft hum of the prison’s core in the background, a consistent undertone to this chilling encounter.
I focused on it, using it to ground myself and push back the panic threatening to overtake me.
“Rules?” I spat, mustering as much bravado as I could. “Since when do you care about rules? You’re only pissed because, for once, it was someone else who broke them for his own advantage!”
He moved closer, the sound of his boots echoing ominously in the silence. “You think this is about me?” He leaned in, his sour breath assaulting my nostrils. “This is about order. About making sure no one steps out of line.”
I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of seeing me waver. “And what do you hope to achieve by bringing me here?” I challenged.
His cold, dark eyes bored into mine. “Power,” he whispered. “And to make sure no one, especially not Ashale, thinks they can defy me.”
A shiver of dread washed over me.
Sneik’s intentions were clear.
I wasn’t just a pawn in his game — I was bait.
He must have seen the realization dawning on my face, for his grin widened. “Ah, you get it now, don’t you? Your precious Ashale won’t be able to save you this time.”
His words were like a punch to the gut.
The room felt smaller, the air thinning as I struggled to breathe.
Despite the looming threat, the physical sensations around me became my anchor — the subtle hum of the prison’s systems and the muted sounds of distant activity.
Despite the direness of the situation, a hint of hope bubbled within me.
I had learned much from Ashale, and my connection with the animals was growing stronger every day.
If I could just buy myself some time…
I took a deep breath, recalling our meditation session, the sensation of connecting with the animals, and the surge of energy and empowerment.
I shut my eyes and focused.
The room shifted subtly, shadows dancing on the walls.
Sneik’s smirk faltered for a split second, replaced by a hint of surprise.
I could feel the power, the strength of the tiger.
It was all-encompassing, a surge of energy that coursed through my veins.
It’s odd how the most mundane senses become heightened in moments of sheer terror.
The sound of my own breathing, the stench of Sneik’s sweat, the dim lights bouncing off his gleaming eyes — everything was amplified.
Sneik stepped closer, and instinctively, I recoiled.
He chuckled, the sound sending chills down my spine.
I had never been so acutely aware of the distance between us.
Every step he took toward me seemed like miles, every heartbeat an eternity.
The temperature in the room seemed to drop, the cool air grazing my skin, making me shiver involuntarily.
