I woke up tied to the chair itself, hands and feet bound. I forced my eyes open, weak, every inch of my body screaming in pain. I let my eyes sweep the room, just my eyes, since my head hung crooked to one side and I couldn't straighten it properly anymore.
Joseph patted down my pockets and pulled out my phone. He handed it straight to Bryan. Once Bryan had it in his hands, he immediately dialed someone and started talking. From what I could tell, we were in some abandoned classroom, one that clearly hadn't been used in a while. Looking around, the chairs and equipment were all broken down, old papers scattered everywhere along with all sorts of things.
After Bryan spoke with the person on the other line, he tossed the cellphone back to me. It hit my foot and went under the chair. In my current tied-up state, there was no way I could pick it up. I tried to look at Bryan. What was he planning this time, why did they even drag me here?
After a moment, he walked over to me. He suddenly grabbed a fistful of my hair, yanking my face up to meet his. I could barely make out what was in front of me since my left eye already flooded with blood. But even through the struggle, I forced it open anyway.
"Don't worry. After what I told her, I know she's probably running now, straight into this trap." Bryan said, then let go of my hair with a shove, and the three of them burst out laughing at me all over again.
A moment later, I heard someone rushing into the room, calling out my name. Even through the pain, I forced my head up to look at her.
"Anthony!" Misaki screamed, already in tears the second she saw the state I was in. She tried to run to me, but Joseph and Carl grabbed her before she could get close.
"Let go of me! You animals! What did you do to him!" Misaki screamed, thrashing against them, practically losing her mind. I knew that no matter how loud either of us screamed for help, nobody would hear us over the music blasting downstairs, where the main event was already underway.
"You're a monster, Bryan!" Misaki screamed at the top of her lungs, but Bryan only smiled back at her.
"Well, you should be grateful he's still breathing at his shape," Bryan said, starting to close the distance toward Misaki.
"Don't worry, his suffering's about to be over, since I'm about to finish him off myself."
"No, please don't. Please, Bryan, take me instead. I'm the one you actually want, aren't I. I'm begging you, just let him go!" Misaki said, tears falling nonstop.
"Oh, how thoughtful. Why is it people in love are always so ready to throw their own lives away for each other? If this were some soap opera, this would be way too cliché." Bryan said, the smile never leaving his face.
"But fine, I'll give you what you want, on one condition." Bryan started walking toward Misaki, and dread began crawling up my spine.
"Strip in front of us, and dance for us while you're at it." Misaki's narrow eyes went wide, frozen at what she'd just heard.
"Mmm, now that's a great idea, dude." Joseph chimed in, his voice thick with anticipation. Hearing that, my breathing turned heavy and my whole face burned hot. My fists clenched so tight I felt like I might explode any second.
"If you willingly agree to what I want, I will let this piece of trash live." I could hear Misaki's breathing turn ragged. She glanced back at me, tears still streaming down her face. Seeing that, I started crying too, shaking my head hard. I wasn't going to let her do what Bryan wanted, not even if it cost me my life.
"So what now, Misaki? Because honestly, I've been dying for this. Are you in?" Bryan said, while Misaki still couldn't tear her eyes away from me.
"If you don't want to, I can undress you myself." I forced my hands to move, but I didn't have enough strength to break free. Bryan slowly brought the knife closer to Misaki, then used it to cut off the first button of her uniform.
"We're gonna put on a little show, right in front of your boyfriend, one I'm sure will be burned into his memory for the rest of his life." Even through her tears, Misaki still managed to glare daggers at Bryan, and then she spat right in his face. Bryan's rage boiled over as he wiped his face clean, then slapped her hard across the face. Carl and Joseph let go of Misaki the second Bryan suddenly grabbed her by the throat.
"Stop!" Seeing what he was doing, I screamed out, hoping against hope he'd stop what he was doing to Misaki, even knowing there was no way that would actually happen.
"If you're not going to cooperate the easy way, then I guess we'll just have to do this the hard way," Bryan said furiously, then suddenly shoved Misaki, causing her to fall to the floor. Misaki clutched her throat as she coughed.
When Bryan moved to close in on her again, she suddenly kicked him hard, and he cried out in pain. The two rushed over right away, pinning down her arms while she lay there. Bryan rushed over and nearly tore Misaki's uniform as he was already on top of her. The tears streaming down Misaki's face grew larger as she screamed.
"Stop it! Don't do that to her! Please, have mercy, I'm begging you!" I kept screaming despite how weak I'd gotten, but it didn't look like any of them were listening. I tried to break free from the ropes tying me down, but they held too tight, I couldn't move an inch.
"Please, stop it!" I screamed, sobbing. My struggles to break free knocked over the chair I was sitting on, and I fell to the floor. I didn't feel the pain in my whole body anymore because what I was seeing was far worse than any pain.
I still tried to drag my body, little by little, even though it was heavy, especially since I was still tied to the chair, just to get closer to them. The pain and the weight crushing my chest were nothing compared to watching them humiliate Misaki right in front of me.
But the three of them froze when the door suddenly flew open. At the same time, the empty paint cans piled up beside the door tumbled, making enough noise to stop them in their tracks.
I saw Theo and Seren step back out of the doorway, holding hands and crying. They probably didn't mean to open the door, they were just leaning against it while listening to what was happening inside.
"Shit!" Bryan cursed, and the two kids ran off.
"Go after them, before they go running their mouths! Damn it!" Bryan shouted at Joseph, furious. Joseph shot up right away and chased after the kids, who probably hadn't gotten far.
Since Joseph had let go of Misaki's left hand, she seized her chance and drove her elbow with everything she had into Bryan's shoulder, right near his neck, knocking him off her body as he writhed on the ground in pain.
Carl, still holding Misaki's arm, was yanked around by Misaki's swift stand, twisting his arm so he was bent over in pain. Misaki didn't let go, she elbowed his back, then drove her knee into his stomach before hurling him hard against the wall.
Bryan, back on his feet, pulled a knife out of his pocket. I thought he was going to attack Misaki, but he suddenly looked at me. To be honest, I told myself it would be better for him to hurt me instead of Misaki. Just as he was about to get closer to me with a menacing look, Misaki immediately stopped him and they began to struggle for the knife.
To be continued