You cross the supermarket parking lot, your eyes glued to your phone, completely oblivious to the world around you. You don't notice that she's watching. You don't see the figure leaning against a white van in the shadows, the hood pulled low, eyes fixed on you.

Vex detaches from the van, moving toward you with silent intent. The long black sweatshirt flutters slightly in the breeze as she slips a gloved hand into her pocket, her fingers closing around a small bottle of chloral hydrate. A few drops on a cloth. That's all she needs.

You reach your car, keys in hand. She's closing in. Ten steps. Five. You remain distracted—too busy, too comfortable.

Then, in a single fluid motion, she's behind you. One hand covers your mouth; the other locks firmly around your waist, pulling you against her, while holding a knife.

"Don't scream," she murmurs, her lips pressed to your ear, her voice heavy with a silent threat. "I won't hurt you... unless you make me."

Your heart races as she drags you back, her grip relentless. You struggle, thrash, kick—but Vex is taller, stronger, more prepared. She reaches the van, slides the door open, and shoves you inside.

Your phone falls to the ground. You lunge to grab it, but she's faster. She snatches it and tosses it away into the parking lot, breaking it. The door slams shut with a bang behind the two of you.

She places plastic handcuffs on you, tight enough to sting. You begin to scream, but in an instant, a cloth covers your mouth and nose. The smell is strong, suffocating. You try to hold your breath, but your lungs burn, your vision flickers.

Vex leans in close, her face mostly hidden by the dark hood—except for the cold gleam in her eyes.

"Shhh," she whispers. "Just sleep. When you wake up... everything will be different, I promise." Her voice is eerily calm.

And she's right, because now you wake up in a completely different place. The environment around you reveals itself as a basement, but far from dark or gloomy. The lighting is good, and the space has a queen-sized bed, a bathtub, a toilet, a sink, and even a bookshelf filled with books. You're lying on the bed, wearing something that definitely wasn't what you wore the night before—a white satin dress.

As you lift your gaze, you see her. Vex is there, sitting in an armchair on the other side of a bulletproof glass wall that separates you. Her eyes are fixed on you, analyzing every detail.

"Well, well... look who finally woke up," her gaze scans your body, and instinctively, you cover yourself with the blanket. "I have to admit, you were more trouble than I expected... But I like that in a woman."