*Chapter 14: The Darkness Closes In*
Aria's defiance seemed to only fuel Malika's malevolence, her eyes flashing with anger as she gazed at Aria with a mixture of contempt and fascination. The air in the cell grew colder, the shadows deepening and twisting around Aria like living things. She could feel the weight of Malika's darkness pressing down on her, suffocating her, making it hard to breathe.
Malika's voice was like a snake slivering into Aria's mind, whispering poison in her ear. "You think you're strong, Aria, but you're just a fragile little thing, broken and alone. J will never find you here, and even if he did, he'd never be able to save you."
Aria tried to block out Malika's words, but they seeped into her mind like a stain, spreading doubt and fear. She felt herself shrinking, her confidence crumbling, her hope dwindling. The darkness was closing in, and she was powerless to stop it.
Malika's laughter was like a crack of thunder, making Aria jump. "You're mine now, Aria," she said, her voice dripping with triumph. "And I'll do whatever it takes to keep you."
As Malika turned to leave, Aria saw a glimpse of something behind her, a shadowy figure lurking in the darkness. Her heart skipped a beat as she realized that J was there, his eyes locked onto Malika's with a fierce intensity.
Aria's heart leapt with hope, but she knew that J was walking into a trap. Malika was toying with her, using her as bait to draw J in. She tried to call out, to warn J away, but her voice was trapped in her throat.
J's eyes met Aria's, and she saw a flash of determination in them. He knew what he was doing, and he was ready for whatever Malika had in store.
But Aria wasn't sure if she was ready for it. She felt fragile, like a thread that was stretched to breaking point. She wasn't sure if she could survive whatever Malika had planned.
As J stepped forward, the shadows closing in around him, Aria felt a surge of fear. This was it, the moment of truth. Either J would save her, or they would both be consumed by the darkness.
The darkness closed in, swallowing J whole, and Aria was left alone, her heart pounding with fear. She waited, her breath held, for what felt like an eternity.
And then, she heard it. A faint whisper, a rustle of fabric, a hint of movement in the darkness.
J was coming for her, and nothing was going to stop him.