Thomas gasped, eyes widening as the pressure cut off his air. He thrashed against the ropes binding him, his feet scraping uselessly against the cold floor.
Lydia's grip tightened, her face mere inches from his, eyes burning with vindictive satisfaction. "This is what you deserve," she hissed, her nails digging into his skin. "Feel the pain and helplessness."
Thomas's vision blurred. His chest heaved, struggling for breath. His body weakened, the fight draining out of him. Darkness crept into the corners of his vision. At that point, he thought he would die.
"You'll suffer, Thomas," she muttered darkly. "And when Ava arrives, she'll suffer, too."
BANG!
The deafening crack of gunfire shattered the tense air, reverberating off the concrete walls.
Lydia flinched, her eyes widening in shock. Instinctively, she released Thomas, her head whipping around. "What is happening?" she barked.