North

A cold sweat instantly broke out on my back as the car stopped in front of the estate.

"Hush, you're shaking," your Sever's voice was velvety, soothing. He covered your hand with his. "It's all over. Fear won't reach you in this house."

A bright, painful flash of emotion flashed through your mind: the dark room, the smell of damp earth, and him. The one who laughed while you begged for mercy. You still remembered the weight of his steps and how your body went numb just from his presence.

“Come out,” he gently pulled you by the hand.

You stepped onto the path, barely able to stand on wobbly legs. Men in black lined up at the entrance. One of them stepped out from the shadows and approached.

"Mark, take the keys. And prepare the guest room," Sever ordered.

The man raised his head. Light struck your face, and your heart literally stopped, falling into the abyss. That scar splitting your eyebrow… Those same icy eyes you saw in your nightmares every night. Your executioner stood two steps away, his head bowed submissively before his master.

His whisper from that basement rang in my ears: “Scream, my dear, only I can hear you here.”

You backed away, gasping for air, feeling an invisible noose tightening around your neck.

"Hey, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" Sever put his arm around your waist, keeping you from falling.

The guard slowly raised his gaze. A glimmer of triumph, mingled with a crazed thirst, flashed in his pupils. A faint, almost ghostly smile curled the corners of his lips.