“That’s enough,” he cut me off coldly. He lifted her into his arms like I wasn’t even there. “I don’t want to hear another word from you.”
Then he looked at the butler. “Take her to the basement. Lock her in. She’s not coming out until I say so.”
My knees nearly gave out. The basement. That damp, foul place where he kept those snakes for her. I backed away, shaking uncontrollably.
“No… please. Not there. Don’t do this to me.”
I fought as they dragged me away, but it was useless. The door slammed shut behind me, and darkness crushed down on my chest.
The silence was broken by soft, terrifying hissing. My skin crawled. Something brushed against my ankle. I screamed and slapped at the floor, panic exploding inside me.
“Open the door! Please! Let me out!” I pounded until my fists burned and split. No one answered.
The air grew thick and suffocating. My skin erupted in rashes, itching and burning until I clawed at myself without realizing it. Hours passed. My throat went raw from screaming, and eventually I slid into the corner, shaking and gasping for breath.
When the door finally opened, I thought I was saved.