The Collector’s laughter echoed through the chamber, cold, hollow, and utterly delighted by Chie’s terror. It tilted its head mockingly as another jar nearby burst open—this one revealing Noel, also frozen mid-scream…her expression twisting between fury and fear.

  "She was just the first."

  Chie felt bile rise in her throat at seeing Noel trapped like this, horror dawning on her completely. Then came the worst part yet…

  The Collector leaned in closer again with a whisper: “And you’re next.”

  No. No...NO!

  Chie stumbled back at those words, her voice catching in her throat as that horrifying truth finally sank in…

  She was next.

  Her heart hammered painfully in her chest as her eyes darted around the chamber, taking in the shattered glass surrounding her, the cold, damp air of the Collector's collection, and the silence that seemed to suffocate her now.

  No...no, I won't let it end like this. I have to get out of here. Think.

  Think. Think, damn it!

  Chie's mind buzzed with desperate thoughts as she fought against the fear threatening to overwhelm her.

  There must be some escape. Some way out of this hell...

  Her eyes fell on the Collector, watching her with those awful, glittering eyes as it seemed to savor her helplessness…

  Chie's breath hitched, her mind racing as she desperately tried to think of anything that could help her right now.

  Then it came to her.

  A single, flickering thought in the back of her mind: The key. The one from Juniper's old gift box, the one she'd always kept with herself "just in case." It was tucked into the pocket of her jacket...right where it had been ever since this nightmare began.

  Her hands shook violently as they reached for it behind them without breaking eye contact with the Collector yet; fingers brushing against the cold metal inside the fabric before finally pulling free what looked like an ordinary-looking key at first glance...

  Please work. Please.

  Chie held her breath as she clutched the key tightly in her hands, praying that this would be enough to finally break free.

  She had to get the timing right. She had to be quick about this.

  Her fingers trembled around the cool metal of the key before closing her eyes and whispering a silent wish:

  "Open...now."

  The moment the word left her lips, something in the air shifted.

  A sharp crack echoed through the chamber as reality itself seemed to warp around Chie, the Collector's eyes widening in genuine shock for once.

  "Wha—?!"

  Then, like a door being forced open from another side...a blinding light erupted behind them all as an enormous keyhole, shaped exactly like Juniper’s key but stretched impossibly large across space and time itself began materializing right there inside that very room!

  Chie didn't hesitate.

  With one final prayer under breath…she threw herself backward into it.

  Chie's breath caught in her throat as she stumbled through the rift, the world spinning around her in dizzying colors and light.

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  For a moment, it was as if she were falling…and then, just as suddenly, she hit the ground hard, her body aching everywhere as she landed on a hard floor in complete darkness.

  She lay there gasping for a moment; heart racing and every muscle screaming with pain from the sudden impact before she slowly forced herself to sit up…

  Chie winced as she moved, every muscle protesting in agony, but she forced herself to push through the pain, trying to focus on her surroundings instead.

  Slowly, her eyes began to adjust to the darkness around her…and as they did, she realized something with a chill creeping down her spine.

  She was not alone here.

  The sense of someone, something, lurking in that darkness made her heart hammer even harder against her ribcage…

  Chie carefully got to her feet, wincing as pain shot through her body from the fall, but she pushed it down and forced herself to stay quiet…not even daring to breathe as she tried to pick up on the source of that presence in the darkness…

  The silence stretched, thick and suffocating. Then—

  A low click of a lighter sparking to life somewhere in the dark.

  Chie’s breath hitched as the flame flickered, casting long shadows against an unknown figure crouched just beyond her vision...their silhouette barely visible through the weak glow before they suddenly stood up straight again with slow movement; revealing themselves little by little until finally–

  "Well well...look who wandered into my little corner." A familiar voice drawled out lazily from behind her.

  Chie couldn't help the flinch in surprise at the sudden voice, her heartbeat hammering furiously in her chest.

  The familiar lazy drawl…that hint of smoke in the air…it only confirmed what she had already suspected. There was no doubt in her mind who that voice belonged to.

  She turned around slowly, her eyes gradually adjusting to the light as she took in the sight before her…

  ...It was him. The man himself, Ronzonius.

  Standing there in all his casual slouching glory, looking entirely unbothered and completely at ease as he leaned against a nearby wall and took another drag from the cigarette in his hand.

  The corners of his mouth curled into a lazy smile, raising his eyebrows in a slight greeting as he exhaled a cloud of smoke that drifted lazily towards Chie.

  "Been a while," he said simply, the words rolling off his tongue with that same husky yet silken drawl that was so distinctively him.

  Chie's breath hitched again as she took in his appearance now, noting the easygoing slouch, the relaxed stance, and that damn cigarette hanging casually from between his fingers…

  He looked just as she remembered him. Hell, he even sounded just the same; that rough, silky drawl sending shivers down her spine again...not that she'd ever admit it out loud.

  "Been a while, indeed," she replied carefully, trying to keep her own voice even and steady despite everything happening.

  Ronzonius tilted his head to one side, studying her for a moment, his eyes flickering with a glimmer of amusement as he took another drag from his cigarette and blew out a perfect ring of smoke.

  "You're shaking," he noted casually, that lazy smile still playing on his lips as he observed her. "You're not usually easily spooked, shrimpy.”

  Chie cursed inwardly as she heard him draw attention to her shaking. She indeed wasn't usually someone who spooked easily...but after everything she'd just been through, she wasn't surprised her body was still feeling on edge. Nevertheless, she forced herself to push it all aside and give him a cool glance instead. "I've had a rough day, alright?”

  Ronzonius chuckled softly, that lazy smile widening just a fraction.

  "Rough day, huh?" He drawled, tilting his head again as if he was considering that statement, before taking another drag from his cigarette and exhaling slowly.

  "So, let me guess…you got yourself in trouble again, and ended up needing my help somehow," he said bluntly, his eyes flickering with a glint of amusement as he watched her closely.

  Chie flinched slightly at those words; irritated by both the fact that he'd guessed so easily and the arrogant tone in his voice.

  "You could say that," she managed through gritted teeth, not appreciating the arrogant tone in his voice at all.

  Ronzonius smirked, clearly enjoying her irritation. "Tch, you really never change, do you? Always making trouble for yourself."

  "And you never change either, smart-ass. Still the same arrogant jerk you've always been. Too bad I need your help right now.”

  Ronzonius' smirk only grew at her words, his eyes gleaming with amusement.

  "Ohhh? Need my help?" He repeated in a mocking tone, raising an eyebrow lazily. "Now that’s interesting." His grin widened slightly as he tilted his head to one side once more…studying her closely now like she was some kind of puzzle he wanted to solve.

  Then came the worst part yet:

  "...What do you offer me for it?"

  Chie bristled, of course he'd ask that. Of course he'd ask for something in return, damn that damn smug bastard. She knew damn well he'd never do anything for nothing.

  But she needed to get out of here, so she forced herself to swallow her irritation and take a deep breath before finally answering.

  "...Anything."

  Ronzonius’ grin turned downright predatory at that answer, his eyes darkening with something unreadable as he leaned in closer.

  "Anything?" He repeated, voice dropping into a low purr of pure amusement. "Careful what you promise me, little thief…because I always collect."

  He took one last drag from his cigarette before flicking it away carelessly; the ember dying out against the cold floor with a soft sizzle.

  Then, without warning, he reached out and grabbed Chie by her wrist sharply (not enough to hurt but definitely not letting her pull away either) while dragging them both toward some unseen exit hidden behind shadows…