Page 166 of Sin Like the Devil

Both sopping wet and exhausted, it doesn’t take long for shivers to set in. Ripley hugs her naked body, shaking like a leaf from head to toe. She’s curvy but small without a whole lot of meat on her bones to keep her warm.

“What is th-this?” She sits against the wall, her hands wrapped around her knees, appearing to be curled up as small as possible.

“They break you down first, exhaust you mentally and physically.” My limbs quiver with each word. “Then they roll out the big guns.”

Air vents whistling, there’s another quiet click before the lights suddenly cut, and we’re plunged into darkness. I focus on preserving any small amount of warmth I have left, but the sound of Ripley’s panicked gasps soon filters in.

“Ripley?” I whisper into the dark.

“I c-can’t… We’re n-never… getting out of h-h-here.”

“You need to calm down. They’re messing with our heads.”

“So c-c-cold,” she whimpers.

That fucking sound. I swear, she does it on purpose. Like she knows it makes me feel all kinds of fucked up and confused.

“Focus on something else,” I mutter.

“Like w-what?”

“I don’t know. The incredible scenery?”

“It’s pitch black, dick.”

“You still have the pleasure of my voice.”

“You know what? F-Fuck you.”

“You wish, Rip.”

“Are you s-seriously flirting with m-me while we’re being t-tortured?” Her teeth chattering is audible.

If it keeps her talking and that goddamn whimpering to a minimum, I’ll tell the bitch I love her. Anything to keep those sounds from breaking my fucking heart all over again. Though I’d never admit she has that power.

“Don’t tell anyone.” I sigh shallowly.

“It isn’t necessary t-to be an asshole all your l-life, Nox.”

“Really? That’s news to me. Thanks for the head’s up.”

“I hate you s-so much.”

“The feeling’s mutual.”

Unable to hold it back any longer, my teeth begin to clatter too. Anything to maintain what little heat remains in my core. Frigid air is still being pumped into the cell, glaciating our soaked, bare bodies.

It won’t be long before hypothermia sets in. If their intention is to make us as weak and vulnerable as possible, it’ll be an easy win. We’ve been tortured, beaten, and now damn near frozen to death.

Lost in thought, I realise Ripley has gone quiet. I can’t hear her teeth crashing together or even her snivelling anymore. Just the whistling of more ice-cold air being injected into our cell.

“R-Ripley?”

I strain my ears for any signs of life.

“Come on, Rip. T-Talk to me.” I silently pray for a response. “Tell me you h-hate me again.”

There’s still nothing. I despise the burst of fear that settles in my gut. When did this evil woman come to mean something to me? Or have I just learned to enjoy the sick torture of her presence? I can’t tell anymore.

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