Chapter 29: The Room

There was only silence.

No walls, no windows, no sound—just the still void of darkness. Then, a dim light flickered overhead, casting a pale glow across the cold floor. Bunnyman's fingers twitched as he stirred. His eyes blinked open, heavy and hazy. His limbs felt like they'd been dipped in lead.

Lady Tape was already sitting up across from him, back against the far wall, breathing shallowly. Deadknight groaned beside him, slow to move, his body barely responding.

"What… where are we?" Bunnyman mumbled, his throat dry.

Before any of them could guess, the only door in the room creaked open—and Mr. Crow stepped in, his black coat trailing behind him. The room shifted with his presence, like the air itself bent to accommodate him.

"I see you're awake," he said coolly.

None of the vigilantes answered. Only heavy breaths filled the room.

"You three put up quite the fight," he continued, taking slow, deliberate steps. "But unfortunately, it was never a real fight. You were drugged—during the chaos with Rex. Sprayed into the air. Microdosed and slow-acting. Took just enough time to wear you down."

Bunnyman tried to push himself up but collapsed immediately, gasping.

"Don't bother," Mr. Crow said without even glancing at him. "The drug saps muscle strength, balance, and will. No heroics here."

Deadknight looked up with narrowed eyes, barely able to lift his head.

"I'm not here to kill you," Mr. Crow went on, voice sharp and emotionless. "In fact, I don't care what you do. Just stay out of my business. You walk away, and I won't chase. Cause another mess, and I'll bury you."

Lady Tape looked up, her voice dry but calm. "I understand."

Bunnyman and Deadknight both turned to her.

Mr. Crow paused, a slight grin flickering at the edge of his lips. "Smart woman."

At that, he turned and gestured. Two men entered the room and pulled Lady Tape to her feet. She didn't resist. Her gaze lingered on the others for a second, unreadable… and then she was gone, escorted out in silence.

Mr. Crow turned back to the remaining two.

"One hour," he said. "Think about it. Say yes, and you walk free. Say no…"

He didn't finish the sentence. He didn't have to.

Then he left.

Two more of his men stepped forward and tightly tied both Bunnyman and Deadknight, their arms bound behind their backs, rope digging into muscle already weakened by drugs. The room dimmed again until only the single bulb above them remained.

Time crawled.

Bunnyman finally broke the silence. "She folded too quick."

Deadknight didn't reply right away. Then he muttered, "Or she's bluffing."

Bunnyman turned his head slightly. "You think so?"

Deadknight shrugged. "I don't know. Can't read her."

A pause.

Then Bunnyman asked, "Why'd you even join us? You don't owe us anything."

Deadknight exhaled slowly. "Just to see if you are serious about justice thing or just playing."

Bunnyman managed a faint smirk. "And?"

"We're tied together right now," Deadknight said. "So… maybe not."

They both chuckled faintly, even in the dim haze.

Another silence.

Then Deadknight leaned in a bit. "I can get us out."

Bunnyman's eyes narrowed. "How? You can't move."

"I said I have a plan," Deadknight said. "Didn't say it wouldn't hurt."

Bunnyman tilted his head slightly. "What are you planning?"

Deadknight looked straight ahead, voice low and certain.

"You'll see. Just hold on."

And the bulb flickered once… then twice.

Darkness edged closer again.