Page 57 of Arseni

My spine shivers as the eyes on my back seem to multiply.This is only getting more terrifying.

I peer over my shoulder at Arseni as he nudges my back toward the posts.But of course, he doesn’t look at me.If he did, it wouldn’t matter.He isn’t going to change my fate.He isn’t my ally.

Still, I’m pathetic enough to try.

“What is this?”I whisper as he leads me to one of the posts and begins tying me to it.Yellow rubber strangles my wrist, cutting off blood to my hand.It’s mercilessly tight, despite the elastic material, but I don’t bother protesting.I’m too busy sweeping the room, darting across faces that look hungry, vicious, ready to devour me.All except one.

I linger my gaze on Arseni’s supposed friend leaning against a wall near the exit.He frowns, his brow furrowing uncomfortably, but he doesn’t look away.

Please, I mouth, though I know it’s futile.He does nothing in response.

As Arseni pulls my other arm to the beam on my left, opening up my chest, I turn to him.“Arseni, what are you doing?”

Still no answer.I don’t really need it.It becomes clear when he finishes tying my wrists and lifts my leg, bringing my sore ankle to another pole.I gasp at the sudden strain in my arms and try to put my weight on the ground with my other foot.My toe barely touches.

“Please, please, stop.You don’t have to do this.”Adrenaline washes the walls of my veins.I thought I was scared, but it’s now that the real panic starts.My breaths come in tight little jerks of my lungs when he moves onto my other ankle, lifting me into the air so every limb is spread for maximum exposure.

The last knot he makes feels like it cuts off all blood supply to my foot, but it doesn’t hurt nearly as much as the tension in my joints.My limbs scream as he steps back to observe me.

“Arseni…”

I let out a sob that he doesn’t acknowledge.I press my chin to my chest to peer at him, my neck protesting for nothing when he doesn’t meet my eyes.

Another voice calls to him, and we both look to see who it is.A blonde woman, young and perky, gives him a seductive wave like they know each other.Or maybe she’s just a slut.

He goes to her while I feel as though the muscles in my shoulders will tear, and he doesn’t give me a passing glance as he takes the woman’s hand and leads her to a couch.

I let my head fall back to look at the ceiling, my sobs uncontained.Fear clutches my throat until I can’t get any real air in, my desperate lungs trying so hard they hyperventilate.

When the first man’s hands slide up my thighs, pushing the lacy lingerie onto my stomach, I clench my eyes shut and try to pretend I care as little as Arseni does.

21

ARSENI

Margot’s cries for help completely drown out Eve’s voice.Still, she yammers in my ear like she can’t see the lack of blood in my face, the cold sweat beading my forehead.

She talks to me like I’m fine.Likethisis fine.

Like everything’sfuckingfine.

“Arseni!”Margot yells for the hundredth time.Days ago, I loved my name on her tongue.Yesterday, I loved it.

Now it’s a fucking ice pick in my ear.And Eve just.Keeps.Talking.

My eyes find Nikita across the room.Unsurprisingly, the voyeur fuck is by himself, sitting on a throne that would look like the other identical chairs if his pompous ass wasn’t attached.

He smiles and raises his glass to toast me.Even from here, I can feel his satisfaction.I can see his game.

This isn’t so he can make use of Margot.This is so he can ruin her for me.

Breaking away from him, I try to suck in air, but nothing comes.My heartbeat thuds in my ears so loud, Margot’s cries are now muted.I’m not grateful for it.I feel like I’m having a heart attack.

“Are you okay?”Eve asks, her muffled voice breaking through as she plants a gentle touch on my shoulder.“Arseni?”

I slouch forward and place my hand over my heart, it’s out of control thump assuring me it hasn’t stopped.It feels so fucking cold in here.So loud, even as my brain works tirelessly to drown it out.

Too much.It’s too much.

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