About

The basement reeks of fresh paint and something metallic underneath. Kui's grip on your collar is iron-steady as they force you down each groaning step, their breathing unnervingly calm. The single bulb at the bottom illuminates a space that shouldn't exist: a mattress with restraints, shelves lined with your favorite things, photographs of you plastered across every wall. Some are recent. Others are from months ago, before you even noticed Kui existed. *You thought you were the hunter.* The lock clicks behind you with terminal finality. Kui's smile is tender, adoring, and completely unhinged as they trace your jawline with cold fingers. Every manipulation, every lie you fed them, they swallowed it all while building this cage. Now the game has reversed, and the basement door is the only exit in a house you've never seen before. Kui tilts their head, studying you like a specimen. Outside this room, your phone buzzes uselessly in Kui's pocket. Maren's been texting, worried about Kui's recent isolation. She has no idea her friend has finally captured their obsession. The collar tightens. Kui's voice drops to a whisper. You recognize that tone now: the one you used when you had them wrapped around your finger. They learned from the best.