Chapter 3

Over the next few days, I deliberately kept my distance.

Whenever they asked for help, I said I had class, or a gym shift, or was busy studying.

But the more I avoided them, the more they showed up.

One night, Marge knocked on my door and said the light in the basement had burned out.

“We have old furniture and important things stored down there. I can’t go down in the dark. You’re strong—could you check it for me?”

My first instinct was to say no.

Basements are closed-off by nature, and it was nighttime. I had a bad feeling about it.

But Marge sighed sadly. “Three women living here alone… we have to handle everything ourselves. If you can’t, it’s okay.”

She sounded so helpless. And I felt guilty paying such low rent. I finally agreed.

Maya and Lila stood beside her, watching.

Maya smiled. “Dylan, you’re the best.”

Lila added softly, “Just this one time, please.”

I took my phone and followed them to the basement entrance.

It was at the end of the first-floor hallway, covered by a heavy wooden board. Marge lifted it off, and a wave of cold, damp air rushed out.

I frowned. “How long has this been sealed?”

“Too long,” she said. “That’s why we need you.”

She handed me a flashlight.

“The stairs are steep. Be careful.”

I turned on the light and stepped down slowly.

The basement was dark, with a strange smell—like mildew and rot, like something old had broken down and decayed.

The deeper I went, the more anxious I felt.

When I reached the last step, I shone my flashlight ahead.

And my entire body froze.

There were no old furniture pieces.

In the middle of the room was a metal bed. Heavy chains lay next to it, along with several unrecognizable tools.

The floor had dark, stained patches—like old, dried blood.

My heart dropped.

This was not a normal storage basement.

I turned to run.

But at that exact moment, the entrance above slammed shut with a heavy BANG.

The only light vanished. The basement was thrown into total darkness.

I shouted: “Marge! What are you doing?!”

No one answered.

I stumbled toward the stairs, but before I could take more than a few steps, a sharp, blinding pain hit the back of my head.

Someone had struck me from behind.

My vision went black.

I passed out.