*ADELINE*
The cold bit through my thin clothing, each breath a shudder as I remained hunched in that damned chair, my hands bound behind me like some kind of ridiculous hostage in a terrible B-movie. The smell of stale alcohol hung heavy in the air, a stench I was beginning to associate with hopelessness and despair. My heart raced, and every passing second felt like it was dragging me down further into a sea of regret and fear.
I couldn't tear my eyes away from Gustav. His stillness was more haunting than his deep, boisterous laughter that I'd grown so fond of. The vibrant colors of the club—the neon lights, the sparkling bottles—now felt like a cruel joke, a vibrant mockery of the blood pooling around his head. Those deep red streaks creeping toward my shoes were a stark reminder of w
