Matthew hurled Clarice to the ground. Blinking against the harsh glare, she quickly surveyed her surroundings.
The basement sprawled before her—a vast, cavernous maze divided into numerous rooms. The walls of the main hall were painted a deep crimson, while the furniture was a grotesque mix of reddish-brown and black. It felt less like a basement and more like a macabre, oversized playroom. Scattered around were sinister implements—whips, handcuffs, and other objects Clarice couldn’t identify. But Matthew’s twisted grin made their purpose abundantly clear.
Her limbs, numb from prolonged restraint, tingled painfully as circulation returned. Still lying prone, her hand brushed against something cold and unfamiliar. She glanced down to see an array of discarded items—hair clips, earrings, b
