Inside the dark basement—
*Ring. Ring. Ring.*
The phone's shrill cry cut through the silence like a blade, sharp and merciless, echoing off the cold concrete walls. Each ring made Wang Cai's heart seize.
*Hh—h—hhk…*
Heavy, broken breathing filled the room. Wang Cai was tied to a chair, his body sagging forward, trembling uncontrollably. Tears streamed down his swollen face, blurring his vision as his hollow eyes locked onto the phone lying on the table, just out of reach.
So close.
If only he could grab it. If only he could call for help.
But his wrists were bound tightly to the armrests. He couldn't even lift his hands—hands that were slick with blood. His fingers twitched weakly, blood seeping from where several nails had been ripped out by force. The pain was no longer sharp; it was gnawing and endless, as if it had burrowed straight into his bones.
