#jorror

That's what warns you that you're headed to an unsafe place. The shriveled woman that opens the door, who hasn't been seen without the black veil to match her beady, black eyes confirms it.

~

“Stop this!” shouted Sym, struggling against her bonds, her arms already chafed. Smears of blood streaked her arms and the cuff edges; tearstains tracked her face, her eyes so deeply shadowed they looked purple rather than their usual bright hints of blue.

Dazzle grabbed the rod and it snapped out to a fine, flexible point. She slammed it on the bed to test it; it sprang back with a jolting judder. “Nice. All right, let’s—”

Somehow, I rolled out of bed, almost collapsing on the floor. Barely felt the pain. Teetered to my feet, stumbled, grasped her arm before it could thwack down on Sol’s back. “Please. I’ll do anything. Just—don’t. Take them away. Don’t hurt them. I’ll do anything you want.”

“Anything?” She drew out the word, one eyebrow arched.