Chapter 4

The next day, Julian entered the room.

He looked at the burn on the back of my hand, frowned almost imperceptibly, but quickly, coldness replaced it.

"Ember, this is the last time." His voice even carried a twisted gentleness. "Just get through today, and you can finally be free."

I leaned against the wall, motionless like a broken rag doll, devoid of a soul.

Julian didn't care about my lifeless state. He waved his hand, and two bodyguards walked in, forcibly manhandling me to my feet.

I was dragged into a completely sealed chamber.

Huge LED screens surrounded me, and the pungent smell of burning permeated the air.

"Let me go... Please, Julian, don't..."

I struggled violently, tears streaming down my face.

I wasn't faking it; I was genuinely terrified. That bone-deep fear made it almost impossible to breathe.

Julian stood in front of the control panel, his eyes feverish.

"Begin."

With his command, the screens around me instantly burst into blazing flames.

Heaters hidden in the walls whirred furiously, and the room temperature rapidly rose.

"Boom--!"

Realistic sound effects exploded in my ears, as if the whole building was burning.

"Ah--!!!"

I screamed shrilly, clutching my head with both hands, desperately shrinking into a corner.

"Help me! Help me! Dad! Mom!"

I fell into extreme hallucinations, the firelight before my eyes turning into the sea of fire that had consumed everything that day.

Julian's voice came from above, laced with a trembling excitement: "Yes, exactly! Fear index at its peak! Heart rate over 160!"

I rolled on the floor in agony, my nails digging deep into the floor, my fingers bleeding profusely.

Extreme fear and the high temperature gradually made me lose consciousness.

The second before falling completely into darkness, I looked at the surveillance camera, a chilling curve on my lips.

Julian, you want data? I'll give it to you.

But this is the last time you'll control me.