Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Sylvia woke to pitch blackness all around her.

The air was thick with the coppery tang of blood and something salty and damp, so strong that just breathing made her gag.

She doubled over, clutching at something nearby as she dry heaved.

When she finally steadied herself, she realized her hand was wrapped around a set of cold iron bars. Her palm felt sticky. She pulled her hand back and shuddered-blood.

A shiver ran down her spine. Her fingers trembled as she wiped them off on her jeans, barely able to process what was happening.

Suddenly, a dim light flicked on overhead, casting pale shadows across the small space around her.

Her heart hammered in her chest as she took in her surroundings.

She was locked in what looked like a cell, with metal bars like something out of a medieval dungeon.

Panic surged through her. She glanced at her hand again, blood smeared across her skin.

Before she could think too much, a gruff voice echoed from the darkness beyond the bars.

"Told you, there's no way out."

light, his

the hell is this? You

a low, mocking laugh. "The cops? Why would she call the cops? Right now, you're my fiancée. All I have to do is say we went on a little trip overseas-think the police are really going to chase us

She pressed her head into her

he straightened his suit jacket and sauntered closer

that. You shouldn't have ignored me, and

pleaded, "You... you like Ms. Sanford? Then why did you agree to marry

down in front of her, cracking his knuckles. "Ms Winslet says I'm not good enough for her.

one gets

Got it?"

just don't hurt me. I'll do whatever you want, I promise." Sylvia's

her shaking legs. "Relax. I'm not going to

turned and disappeared back into the

the sound of his footsteps and trying to calculate the size

a lock, she finally stopped crying, but dread settled in

It didn't feel like any normal

against the wall and groped along until she

of hope, she pulled a bobby pin from her hair and jammed it into the keyhole,