UNVEILED

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Chapter Eighteen

Seline opened her eyes and was instantly overwhelmed by a sharp, throbbing pain in her head. The brightness of the room made her squint, her vision struggling to adjust to the harsh light. A soft groan escaped her lips as she sat up slowly, her fingers instinctively reaching to massage her aching temple.

She looked around, realizing she was lying on a small bed in the center of a dimly lit room. Dust particles floated lazily in the sunlight streaming through wide-open windows. The air felt stale, carrying a faint mustiness. Opposite the bed stood a closed door, its paint chipped and flaking. Beside it was a single chair, plain and nondescript. The rest of the room was empty, save for cobwebs clinging to every corner like ghostly drapes.

Her heart began to race as questions flooded her mind. How did I get here? Who brought me?

Before she could piece together her scattered thoughts, muffled voices drifted from beyond the door. Her pulse quickened. A moment later, the door creaked open, and a man strode in casually, his face obscured by a mask.

Seline's breath caught. She knew him instantly.

"Jason?" she gasped, her voice laced with shock and confusion.

As she said his name, memories came flooding back: his gun raised, the cold metal striking her temple, and the suffocating darkness that followed. Anger surged through her, momentarily overriding her fear.

"You're awake," Jason said flatly, his tone devoid of emotion.

Seline shot to her feet, glaring at him. "Who are you, Jason? What is wrong with you? Why have you brought me here?"

Jason's expression hardened, and he took a slow step toward her. "I don't appreciate defiance, Seline," he said, his voice suddenly sharp. She flinched at the unexpected intensity.

"I saved your ass. I deserve some gratitude," he added, his words laced with bitterness.

Seline stared at him, stunned. The calm, teasing man she once knew was gone, replaced by someone she barely recognized.

"You're unmasked, Jason. There's no need to hide," she said, her voice trembling with a mix of defiance and fear.

Without warning, she reached up and yanked the mask from his face, tossing it aside with exaggerated force.

Jason didn't flinch. Instead, he let out a sinister laugh. "This is it—my face. Happy?" he shouted, his voice echoing ominously.

Seline recoiled slightly, her eyes widening as she truly saw him. His once familiar features were now twisted with something dark and unhinged. Fear gripped her chest like a vice.

"Jason…" she began carefully. "What's wrong with you? What's going on?"

"I don't wish to answer your questions," he snapped, cutting her off. "Food will be sent to you. And hope I didn't hit you too hard."

Seline ignored his question, her voice softening. "Take me home, Jason."

His eyes darkened at that. In an instant, he grabbed her shoulders roughly, his grip bruising. "You'll stay here until I say so," he growled.

Seeing her petrified expression, he sighed and released her. "Food will be sent to you," he repeated.

"I won't eat," Seline retorted fiercely, her anger flaring despite her fear.

Jason's jaw tightened. "Don't test my patience," he hissed. "I don't care whether you eat or not." He strode toward the door but stopped when her voice rang out again.

"I'll call the police! You can't keep me here forever!"

Jason froze. Slowly, he turned back to her, a chilling smirk spreading across his face. He walked back toward her with deliberate, menacing steps.

Grabbing her jaw, he pinned her against the nearest wall, his grip vice-like.

"You shouldn't dare threaten me, Seline," he said in a deadly whisper. "Do you know who I am? I've escaped from prison three times. I've killed a hundred people…" He paused, his grip tightening. "And I hate threats."

Seline whimpered, her body trembling. Jason shoved her into the chair by the door. Before she could react, he grabbed a length of rope she hadn't noticed earlier and began tying her hands to the armrests.

"Let me go!" she screamed, struggling against him, but his knots were tight and unyielding.

Satisfied, Jason stepped back and exhaled sharply, surveying his work. "What did I do to deserve this, Mr. Schneider?" Seline cried, her voice breaking with sobs. "All I ever did was try to help you!"

Jason stopped at the door, turning to look at her one last time. His face was impassive, but his eyes burned with something unreadable.

"That's the problem," he said coldly. "You shouldn't have tried to help."

Without another word, he stepped out of the room, slamming the door shut behind him with a deafening bang.

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