The room fell silent. No one volunteered, each of the friends too terrified to step willingly into the unknown. The Mistress chuckled, her eyes narrowing gleefully. "How disappointing," she said, her voice dripping with mock-pity. "No volunteers? Then I'll have to...choose one."
The friends tensed, their hearts skipping beats. They knew the Mistress would relish choosing one of them, enjoying their fear and dread. The Mistress tapped a finger on her chin, her eyes flicking from one friend to the next. "Hmm," she mused, her voice almost sing-song. "Who should I pick...? Oh, the choices are so...difficult."
The friends were frozen, their eyes wide and terrified. They knew the Mistress was drawing out the suspense on purpose, enjoying their anticipation and dread. She continued to pretend to ponder, her eyes taking in each of the friends with a chilling, appraising gaze. "Ah," she said suddenly, her voice filling with false surprise, "I think I know who to choose."
The friends held their breath, their hearts racing in their chests. They knew it was almost time, that one of them would soon face whatever horror the Mistress had planned. The Mistress smiled, her expression pure evil. "Yes," she said, her voice gleeful, "I think it's time for our dear Olivia to take her first...little test."
"Olivia," the Mistress called, her voice sweet and mocking, "Step forward, please." Olivia trembled, her body almost paralyzed with fear. She didn't want to face whatever test the Mistress had planned, but she knew she had no choice. She obeyed, her steps slow and measured.
The Mistress smiled, her eyes gleaming with triumph. "Good girl," she said, her voice dripping with mocking sweetness. "Now, are you ready for your first *little* test?"
Olivia gulped, her mouth too dry to form words. She managed a shaky nod, her eyes wide with fear. The Mistress chuckled, her eyes dancing cruelly. "Good," she said, her voice now commanding. "Close your eyes."
Olivia's heart skipped a beat, her body tensing even more. She didn't want to close her eyes, to be left in the dark, waiting for whatever terror was to come. But the Mistress' command was clear, and she knew she had no choice. She closed her eyes, her face white and trembling.
"Good," the Mistress said, her voice now a chilling whisper. "Now...keep them closed and hold out your right hand."
Olivia obeyed, her body shaking as she held out her right hand. She could feel her fingers trembling, her whole body tense with fear and anticipation. The Mistress chuckled again, her voice almost a purr. "Now...don't move until I say," she ordered.