The Neighbor

Chapter 68

⚠️ *read book description for warnings/triggers. It's not descriptive but mentioned.*

Day two

The second day feels like an eternity. Time has lost all meaning, the hours blurring together into one long stretch of agony. Your body aches in ways you didn't know were possible, the pain a constant companion, gnawing at your every thought. The cold, damp air of the room clings to your skin, and the dull ache in your muscles is now a persistent burn. Sleep was out of reach if you even slept at all. The darkness makes it impossible to tell.

Your arms are now tied above your head, the rope biting cruelly into your wrists. Your shoulders throb with an unrelenting pain, every slight shift sending sharp pangs through your body. Your legs gave out hours ago, and now you're just hanging from the rope, your entire weight pulling on your already weakened body. The constant tension makes it hard to breathe, each inhale shallow, every exhale a reminder of your predicament.

The door creaks open, and though you don't lift your head, you know it's Madison. Her presence brings a familiar sense of dread, a weight that settles in your chest and makes your heart pound. She steps into the room, her heels clicking sharply against the concrete floor as she approaches, as if she's walking on a runway. Her rhythm is unhurried, almost bored, but you know better than to think that's how she feels.

"Good morning," Madison coos, her voice carrying a mock cheerfulness that sets your nerves on edge. She saunters closer, taking her time, like a cat toying with a mouse. "I was wondering if you'd still be standing—or at least trying to."

Your arms burn, your wrists bruised and bloodied from the constant tension, but you refuse to make a sound. You won't give her the satisfaction of knowing just how much pain you're in. Not yet.

Madison circles you, her eyes sweeping over your body, assessing the damage she's already inflicted. "Still so defiant," she murmurs, almost to herself. "It's admirable, really, but ultimately pointless."

You don't respond. There's no energy left for defiance, but the silence is all you can offer. You focus on your breathing, trying to push through the waves of agony coursing through your limbs. You can't afford to let her see your weakness, even if you feel like you're unraveling.

Madison sighs dramatically, as if your silence is an inconvenience to her amusement. "Oh, come on now," she says, her voice turning sharper. "You're making this harder than it needs to be. All you have to do is tell me what I want to hear."

She steps closer, reaching up to grab your chin, forcing you to look at her. Her grip is firm, her nails digging into your skin as she tilts your head upward, your eyes meeting hers. There's something chilling about the way she looks at you, like you're just a puzzle she's trying to figure out how to break.

"I wonder how long you can keep this up," she muses, her voice soft and almost caring, though the cruelty in her eyes betrays her. "You're only human, after all. And humans break. Eventually."

You blink, your vision blurry from exhaustion and pain, but you hold her gaze. You won't give her the satisfaction of looking away. You won't let her win, not here, not now.

Madison releases your chin with a satisfied smirk, stepping back to admire her handiwork. "You must be starving by now," she says, her voice laced with false concern. "Thirsty too, I imagine. How long do you think you'll last without food? Without water?"

Your stomach clenches painfully at her words, a stark reminder that you haven't eaten or drunk anything since this nightmare began. Your throat is dry, your lips cracked, but you bite back the need to beg. She's waiting for it—waiting for you to ask for mercy.