Page 39 of Wicked Nightmare

I ran my fingers along the edges of the raised boards. "Only you would find damnation entertaining, sweetheart. Besides, you are a demon, don’t know why you’d need to meet one when there’s one that lives inside you."

Her face lit up, “You really think so, babe?”

“Yeah, Lakes. You’re the most fucked up person I’ve ever met.”

“That’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me.” She brushed away an imaginary tear. “Thank you, baby. K, enough fucking around, get those boards up.”

With a grunt, I pried up the boards, revealing a trapdoor. The musty scent of decay wafted up, making my nostrils flare, but underneath that, there was something else. Something that made my pulse quicken with anticipation.

"Ladies first?" I offered, gesturing to the dark void below.

Lakey rolled her eyes. "Such a gentleman. I think I'll let you take the lead on this one, big guy."

I shrugged, flashing her my most charming grin. "Can't blame a guy for trying."

As I descended the narrow staircase, the temperature dropped noticeably. Each step creaked ominously, the sound echoing off damp walls. I could hear Lakey's soft footfalls behind me, her presence easing some of that fucking eerie feeling that settled over me with each step downward. How the hell had she survived this place? This is fucked.

"You okay back there?" I called over my shoulder, my voice unnaturally loud in the oppressive silence.

"Peachy keen, doll," came her sarcastic reply. "Just reminiscing about all the good times I probably had in this little slice of paradise. Don’t remember them… yet. But can’t wait ‘til I do. Maybe I can add these stories to that children’s book I’m writing."

“God, you’re so disturbing.”

“I take pride in that.”

My chest tightened at her words. Sometimes I forgot just how much she'd endured while we were apart. Guilt sat heavy in my chest as I tried to lock it away. We both suffered in our separation, but I’d never regret protecting her. Not a fucking chance. The urge to turn around and crush her to my chest was almost overwhelming. Instead, I pushed on, determined to help her face whatever demons lurked in the shadows of her past.

"I’m here for you, Lakes," I said softly, pausing to look back at her. "Whatever's down here, we'll handle it. Just like we always do."

For a moment, her carefully constructed mask slipped, revealing a vulnerability that made my heart ache. Then it was gone, replaced by that wicked gleam in her eye.

"My hero," she rolled her eyes, but I could hear the genuine affection beneath the snark. "Now let's go find some bodies to desecrate, shall we?"

I laughed, the sound echoing off the tunnel walls. God, I love this woman. Fucked up as we both were, there was no one else I'd rather have by my side as we sat in the cage of our pain.

"At your command, lil’ psycho," I stood in a mock salute before leading us deeper into the darkness.

As we navigated the damp, winding tunnels, my instincts kicked into overdrive. Someone could be down here, and I needed to be ready to defend my girl.

"You know," I said, "I always dreamed of taking you on a romantic underground stroll. Though I imagined fewer rats and more champagne."

Lakey snorted, her fingers brushing against mine as we navigated the corridor. "Oh, Cam, you always know how to make a girl feel special. Maybe once we’re done, we can find some sacrilegious spot, and you can bury your cock in me."

I grinned, though the expression felt more like a grimace. My dick would fall off if I whipped it out here. It was dank as fuck. My mind raced, piecing together the layout of this underground maze. The corridor split into 3, one main and two side shoots. There had to be a central hub, a place where the worst of the atrocities took place.

"Left here," I muttered, guiding us down the largest tunnel. The air grew thicker, heavier with each step. My skin crawled with anticipation and a sick sort of excitement. Whatever we found at the end of this path, it would be the key to unraveling the mysteries of Lakey's time here.

Suddenly, we came to an abrupt halt. Before us was a massive metal door, its surface pitted and scarred by time and neglect. The lock, once formidable, now hung in a rusted, fragile state.

"Looks like we found the VIP room.” Without hesitation, I stepped forward, my foot connecting with the door in a swift, powerful kick.

The lock gave way with a sickening crunch, the door swinging open to reveal... Christ. The stench hit me first. Rot. As we stepped inside, the full horror of the room became apparent.

"Well, fuck me sideways," I breathed, taking in the nightmarish scene before us. "Looks like we stumbled into Satan's rec room."

Lakey's sharp intake of breath beside me was the only indication of her distress. I wanted nothing more than to shield her from this, to whisk her away from the memories that surely came flooding back, but she wouldn’t want me to. This was her fight. All I could do was stand by her side…. and crack some fucking skulls when it came down to it.

"You okay, babe?" my gaze never left the grotesque array of instruments and jars that lined the walls.