Chapter 55 Chapter 55
"Even a reaper can defy his nature — sometimes he comes not to claim a soul, but to return it.”
Clara’s lungs burned before her mind was fully awake. The first thing she registered was the violent rush of water pouring endlessly from above. It echoed loudly, like a waterfall trapped in a cavern then came the cold.
Her eyes snapped open.
For a moment, she couldn’t understand what she was seeing. Everything around her shimmered and distorted. Water streamed from above in thick torrents, splashing against her shoulders and pooling rapidly around her feet.
She sucked in a breath and lifted her head. She was inside a towering glass enclosure — cylindrical, smooth, and impossibly tall. The walls rose far above her, disappearing into the cascade pouring from the top.
Her pulse spiked rapidly as she turned and froze. Beyond the glass stood dozens of well dressed people in elegant gowns and tailored suits. Diamonds flashed beneath the bright overhead lights.
Some held champagne flutes, others small plates of delicacies, all of them standing comfortably as though this were nothing more than an evening gala as they watched her.
Murmurs drifted through the air, low and curious. Some faces showed amusement while others mild interest, as if observing an art installation rather than a human being slowly being drowned.
Clara’s stepped forward and raised a trembling hand, tapping lightly against the glass.
“Hello?” Her voice sounded small even to her own ears. “Let me out.”
The tapping produced only a dull echo as the murmuring continued, some guests leaning closer to the glass with interest.
A slow smile curled across a familiar face in the crowd. Rihana.
She stepped forward gracefully, heels clicking softly against the floor. She stopped directly in front of the glass, tilting her head as she met Clara’s gaze with a sinister smile.
Then she turned to the audience.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” she announced brightly, lifting her champagne flute slightly, “the star of the show is finally awake.”
Soft laughter rippled through the crowd making Clara’s stomach drop. She pressed both palms against the glass now. “Rihana,” she called, forcing steadiness into her voice. “Let me out now"
More murmurs and a few approving nods. Others simply watched, curious.
Rihana faced her again, eyes glinting. “Oh, don’t look so distressed,” she said lightly. “You’re perfectly safe… for now.”
Clara swallowed hard, the water had already climbed to her ankles.
“Let me out,” she demanded, tapping harder this time. “You’ve made your point.”
Rihana ignored her, addressing the crowd instead. “No need to worry,” she said smoothly. “even if she dies she’s just a common citizen. Nothing special.”
A woman beside her leaned closer, whispering urgently into Rihana’s ear. Clara couldn’t hear everything, but fragments drifted through the glass.
“…shouldn’t take it too far… Hale’s plaything…”
Rihana scoffed loudly enough for everyone to hear. “Please,” she said, rolling her eyes. “I highly doubt Hale would create chaos over one weak, disposable girl.” Her smile widened “And if he does… I have a plan B.”
Her friend’s unease was clear. “I still think killing her is a bad idea.”
Rihana waved a dismissive hand. Inside the glass, Clara’s heart began to pound faster. The water had reached her calves now, icy tendrils wrapping around her legs.
She slammed her palm against the glass harder. “Rihana!” Her voice rose. “Let me out of here right now!”
Laughter erupted from several guests. One man even lifted his glass in a mock toast. Fear began creeping in.
Rihana approached the glass again, her expression smug. She leaned closer, as though sharing a private joke.
“That’s what you get,” she said softly, voice dripping with satisfaction. “For playing around with dangerous men.” Her eyes darkened. “For messing with my man.”
Realization hit as the water surged higher, sloshing around Clara’s knees. The temperature dropped, the cold biting into her skin like needles.
Rihana turned back to the guests, raising her voice. “Don’t worry,” she announced cheerfully. “She won’t die… if she’s strong enough to break the glass.”
A man near the front frowned slightly. “It’s breakable?”
“Oh, absolutely,” Rihana replied smoothly. “With the right amount of effort.” Her gaze slid back to Clara, full of mockery. “But someone like her will most likely not make it out. She’s weak.”
A few guests chuckled and Rihana clapped her hands once.
“Let’s make things more… interesting,” she said. “We’ll change the temperature and frequency of the water, give her a little sense of urgency.”
The torrent intensified instantly, freezing water poured from above in violent force, slamming against Clara’s shoulders and head. She gasped as the cold hit, a sharp, brutal chill that stole the air from her lungs.
“N..no!” Her teeth clattered as she stumbled back.
The water climbed to her thighs within seconds and Panic exploded inside her chest. She slammed both fists against the glass. Once. Twice. Again. The sound echoed uselessly.
“Help!” she screamed. “Someone help me!”
But no one moved. Some guests even leaned closer, fascinated. Her heart raced wildly as the water reached her waist. The cold was unbearable now, seeping deep into muscle and bone, slowing her movements, stealing strength from her limbs.
Think. Think. Her hand flew to her side instinctively, the knife was gone. she patted herself frantically. Nothing. They’d taken it.
“No…” she whispered, shaking her head.
The water surged higher. She slammed her fists against the glass again and again, harder each time. Pain shot through her knuckles, skin splitting as blood smeared faintly across the smooth surface. Still not even a crack.
The guests watched, unmoved. Some whispered, some smiled. The water reached her chest and her breathing turned ragged. Each inhale became shallow as the cold tightened around her ribs. She pounded the glass with everything she had left.
“Please!” she screamed hoarsely. “Please...!”
No response. It was now neck level. Her legs trembled violently now, muscles stiff from the freezing temperature. She kept hitting the glass, ignoring the pain screaming through her hands.
Then a crack but it wasn’t the glass, it was just her knuckles splitting further.
“Come on…” she sobbed, voice breaking. “Come on… please…”
Across the room, Rihana smiled to herself. Finally, she thought. Finally, the girl who occupied Hale’s mind would disappear.
If he showed up just as she predicted, the dart gun hidden beneath the table was ready.
Inside the tank, Clara’s movements slowed. The cold was draining her faster than she expected. Her fingers felt numb and her arms heavy but she didn’t stop.
She kept hitting, kept screaming, kept praying silently for the glass to crack. The water touched her chin. She tilted her head back desperately, gasping for air between strikes.
“Please…” Her voice was barely above whisper now.
Then the water closed over her mouth then her nose then jer eyes. Before she could know it she was fully submerged.
Panic detonated inside her chest. She thrashed weakly, fists still striking the glass, though the force was fading. Bubbles escaped her lips as she tried to hold her breath.
Her lungs burned, Vision darkened at the edges and everything slowed. Maybe this was it......Then the doors slammed open.
The sound reverberated through the room like thunder. Several guests startled, turning toward the entrance just as a tall figure stepped inside.
The Grim Reaper had arrived.
Everything happened so fast. One moment he stood at the doorway, the next, he moved.
He crossed the room in a blur, reaching the glass enclosure in seconds. Guests stumbled back in shock, champagne flutes shattering against the floor.
Clara’s vision was fading, consciousness slipping and she barely registered the sudden presence outside the glass.
Then.... A deafening crash. The entire tank shattered. Water exploded outward in a violent wave, glass fragments spraying across the floor. Guests screamed, scrambling backward as the flood surged over their shoes and gowns.
In the chaos, strong arms caught Clara’s limp body before it hit the ground, she was already unconscious.
The Reaper pulled her against his chest, one arm secure around her as water dripped from her soaked hair and clothes. His hold protective.
Silence fell gradually, broken only by the sound of water spreading across the floor.
Then another set of footsteps entered. Bryant walked in, flanked by a large group of armed men. His expression was unimpressed as he surveyed the drenched room and the shattered glass.
He stopped at the center, His gaze swept over the stunned guests.
“The party,” he said calmly, “is over.”