The Safe House was a peculiar hideout tucked deep in the woods. The building looked ancient, with its paint peeling in long, weathered strips and vines clinging to the old wooden walls. Despite its dilapidated exterior, the interior remained solid and intact. As dawn approached on the horizon, insects chirped in the calm darkness.
Adex pushed the door open, and it creaked loudly. Inside, the room was dim and musty. The curtains were tightly closed, allowing no light in. A cracked lampshade in the corner emitted a dull yellow glow, casting unsteady shadows across the floor. This place used to be a refuge, but now it felt more like a trap pretending to be safe.
Jill stood barefoot in a dark, fitted dress with a high slit and a low neckline. Her hair was pinned back, with strands falling over one eye. Holding a glass of red wine, she offered a half-smile with an unreadable expression.
"Welcome, Adex," she said, her voice soft and slow. "You took your time."
Adex entered quietly, his coat brushing the door. He studied her intently—her body and the flicker behind her eyes. Her smile seemed off, but he kept his thoughts to himself.
"You're looking..." He trailed off, letting his eyes convey the rest. "Tempting."
"All for you, dear." Her smile grew wider, filled with carefree confidence.
She approached him, hips swaying with intention. Leaning in, her hand slid behind his neck as she tilted the wine glass to his lips. A sweet scent of clove and vanilla wafted from her skin, but something was off, a hint of alarm that caught in his nose.
"Care for a drink?" she whispered, her lips brushing against his ear.
"I didn't come here for wine," he said, taking the glass from her anyway, their fingers brushing against each other.
"I think you came for more than you're ready to admit."
Jill took a slow sip from her wine glass, then locked eyes with him, biting her lip in a teasing, almost provocative way. She let her tongue slip out, playing up the moment with deliberate intent.
Adex blinked, surprised by the sudden shift. He opened his mouth to speak but hesitated.
Before he could respond, she kissed him deeply, tilting the glass between them and spilling wine past his lips. It dribbled down his chin, but he didn't wipe it off. Instead, he dropped the glass, letting it roll to the foot of the bed. As their kiss deepened, she let some warm, sharp wine spill into his mouth, mingling with the heat of their embrace.
Her hands swiftly tugged at his shirt buttons as she pulled him closer, her breath warm against his lips. He kissed her back, spinning her toward the bed with determination.
"Jill…" he mumbled, uncertain if it was a warning or an appeal.
She didn't let him finish.
"What are we waiting for?" she asked, pulling the straps of her dress down her shoulders. It pooled around her ankles in one smooth motion. She stepped over it, eyes locked on Adex.
Jill dropped onto the bed, her legs stretched out, pale thighs catching the low light. "Come here."
Adex pulled off his shirt and tossed it aside. He paused, eyes locked on her as if weighing his thoughts. Whatever he wanted to say, he let it go—and climbed over her instead.
She pulled him down by his hair and kissed him passionately. Their clothes fell away, and their breathing grew heavy in the still air, filled with unspoken tension.
But something changed.
The moment slowed.
She whispered again, her voice lower and deeper now.
"Give me what I want."
Adex froze. He opened his eyes and examined the unusual expression on her face.
He pulled back slightly. "Jill?" he asked.
She didn't speak a word.
Instead, she ran her fingers along his cheek, her nails gently grazing his skin. Her touch felt cooler and smoother now.
His heart slammed against his ribs. The warmth vanished. He glanced at the wine glass on the floor—the drink inside was darker and heavier, like it wasn't even wine anymore.
"What did you give me?" he asked, his voice breaking.
Jill tilted her head. "Everything you asked for," she replied.
Adex pulled away from her, his breath hitching in his throat. She sat up gradually, grinning.
"What did you do to me?" he whispered.
Adex stumbled back, clutching his chest. A cold sweat spread over his skin. His vision blurred.
"You… you didn't just poison me, did you?" he asked.
Jill rose from the bed like a shadow lifting from still water. "Only enough to slow him down," she said quietly. "I had to reach you before he buried you completely."
Adex stared at her, eyes wild. "You… knew?"
She stepped closer, her voice trembling with rage. "Leave Adex's alone," she growled. "Get out of his body. Now!"
Adex smiled broadly.
"Ah-ah-ah-ah."
Jill froze, staring at him while his laughter echoed through the room.
"You're too late," he said, his voice thickening like two voices overlapping. "He let me in. He fought hard, but I won."
Jill backed away, fists clenched at her sides. "I'll rip you out myself."
He stepped forward, head tilting, eyes dark with mockery. "Oh, Jill… Do you think I'm afraid of you?"
She didn't move.
He leaned closer, breath cold against her cheek. "You should be afraid of what he let in. Because Adex… is never coming back."
Jill locked eyes with him and smiled. "No... you're the one who should be afraid of me."
Adex blinked, surprised by her sudden confidence, unsure what gave her the nerve to say that.
She continued smiling—calm and deliberate—as her hand slid slowly over her stomach, maintaining eye contact.
Adex's eyes widened. He gasped. "Oh no... You poisoned me?"