Chapter 11

We placed our trays—still mostly laden with food—on the large metal table in the kitchen area and exchanged uneasy glances. Was our work finished? The question lingered in the air as casino employees closed in around us.

“Is the event over? Is there anything else you need us to do?” Amara asked, directing her question to a man who appeared to be in charge. Her voice was steady, but her clenched fists betrayed her nerves. Standing beside her, I tried to project calm, though my insides were churning with dread.

The manager’s eyes swept over Amara with a calculating gaze, and his lips curled into a smirk.

“You’ve all done a wonderful job,” he said smoothly, though his tone was far from reassuring. “Now, we just need you to head through the door on the other side of the room.”

Amara hesitated, her unease growing. “What’s behind that door?” she asked, her voice tinged with apprehension.

“Your way out,” he replied with a grin that oozed false charm. His eyes, however, were sharp and predatory. The staff surrounding us shared his sinister demeanor, their gazes fixed on us like a pack of wolves circling their prey. I recognized those looks too well—cold, hungry, and merciless. It was the same expression I’d seen in the faces of those who hunted me before.

Whatever lay beyond that door, it wasn’t going to be good.

The door swung open, revealing a pitch-black void beyond the threshold. The manager stepped aside, gesturing grandly toward the darkness.

“Go on. Step inside,” he ordered, his tone suddenly harsh and commanding.

I grabbed Amara’s hand, holding her back as fear surged through me.

“No,” I said firmly, glaring at him.

“Inside!” he barked, his voice dripping with menace.

The other girls huddled behind Amara and me, their faces pale with terror. Most of them had likely never faced any sort of violence, let alone been forced into such a dire situation. I knew how to defend myself, but protecting twenty untrained, frightened girls from fifteen men? The odds were impossible.

The manager let out a cruel chuckle, signaling his men. “Throw them all in,” he said coldly.

I clenched my fists and shifted into a fighting stance, high heels and all. My defiance drew mocking laughter from the group of men.

“Oh, you want to fight?” the manager sneered, shrugging off his jacket and stepping closer. “Let’s see what you’ve got, Queen of Hearts.”

Without hesitation, I lashed out with a kick aimed at his ribs. My strike connected, but it only made him stumble slightly. I followed up with a punch, putting all my strength behind it, yet he barely reacted. His smirk didn’t waver as he watched me struggle.

Meanwhile, the others began forcing the girls into the dark room. Their screams echoed around me, each one twisting my gut. I turned in time to see them toss Amara inside, and panic seized me.

“No!” I screamed, rushing toward her.

That moment of distraction was all the manager needed. His fist slammed into my stomach, knocking the wind out of me. Pain exploded through my core, and I crumpled to the floor, gasping for air. He crouched beside me, his breath hot against my ear.

“Had enough yet?” he taunted.

I gritted my teeth. “No…” I growled, forcing myself to stand.

He waited until I was halfway up before landing another blow to my stomach. The sheer force of it sent me sprawling, my vision swimming. His men grabbed me by the arms and dragged me toward the door. I kicked and thrashed, but their grip was unyielding. With a final shove, they hurled me into the darkness and slammed the door shut.

Amara’s frantic voice broke through the silence. “Let us out! Please!” She banged on the door, her fists pounding against the unyielding metal.

“Look for a light switch,” I croaked, still struggling to catch my breath.

“I’m trying,” she said, her voice trembling. “Okay… feeling along the wall…”

Her movements were deliberate, her hands searching blindly in the dark. Then, suddenly, the room was bathed in harsh fluorescent light. We squinted against the glare, taking in our surroundings.

It was a sterile, empty room, white walls closing in on us. Small vents lined the ceiling and floor, and a faint hiss filled the air as gas began seeping through the openings.

Screams erupted around me. I clamped a hand over my mouth, trying to hold my breath, but the gas spread too quickly. Panic drove me to the door. I pounded on it with all the strength I had left, praying it would give way.

Most of the girls had already collapsed, unconscious on the floor. The rest clung to the last reserves of their breath, but I could see the fight draining from their eyes. I knew I couldn’t hold out much longer. My chest burned, my vision blurred, and the futility of it all hit me like a wave.

With one final, desperate punch against the door, I gave in to the darkness.