𝐌𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐌𝐄 𝐔𝐏, ronance ¹

𝟏𝟒. 𝗟𝗘𝗧 𝗠𝗘

The pin from Nancy's hair was pinched between her fingers as she worked the shock collar's clasp, the occasional spark sending a tingle through her fingers.

"Alright?" Nancy asked, glancing at Robin.

"Fantastic," she replied, her face scrunched in uncomfortable suspense.

"Almost—" Nancy muttered quietly, "Just— got it!"

The collar unlocked, and Robin pulled it off as quickly as possible, tossing it onto Nancy's bag.

"Jesus, I hate that thing," Robin said, running her hand through her hair.

Nancy stared at it, an idea formulating in her head.

"What if we give Sterling a taste of his own medicine?" she asked absently, "We can use the shock collar on him and get out of here."

"Cool with me," Robin shrugged, then added bitterly, "I just wish I could hang him from the ceiling by it."

Nancy smiled, "He's literally a giant. I think his feet might touch the ground."

Their laughter echoed in the small space like a fragile melody in an ominous symphony.

A soft warmth enveloped them, unspoken sentiments dancing between stolen glances.

"We do need a plan, though," Nancy said, her voice low and conspiratorial.

"We'll just play off what he's already seen," Robin replied, reaching for the collar. She shoved it into Nancy's bag and handed it to her.

"You'll redirect your anger from Sterling to me," she continued, shrugging her shoulders, "And I'll just act like I've given up."

"Won't he notice the collar's gone?" Nancy asked, glancing down at her bag.

"I'll use my jacket," Robin decided, pulling it tight around herself.

Nancy nodded, the plan clicking together in her mind, "I like it. How do I get the collar on him, though?"

"You'll leave, and I'll stay," she replied, "When his back is turned to the door, you'll slip the collar on him."

"I'll get the remote out of his pocket while he's disoriented," Nancy added, glancing up at Robin with a smile.

As they went over the details to ensure everything was in order, the room transformed into a stage for their performance.

The shadows became the audience, and the stakes heightened with every word exchanged in hushed tones.

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The room resonated with Nancy's feigned anger, echoing through the stale air like a discordant symphony.

She paced back and forth, each step fuelled by frustration and a calculated pretence.

Robin lay on the floor, an arm over her eyes in faux annoyance.

"God, this is all your fault!" Nancy shouted, "We had our chance to escape, and you ruined everything!"