Celine shook her head wildly, her face a mask of frustration that reached its breaking point. Her breath came in ragged gasps, stifled by the bitter reality staring her in the face.
"You're insane, Leo! You're a literal devil!" Celine screamed, her voice cracking with pure desperation.
Instead of erupting in anger, Leo reached out. He stroked Celine's cheek with a movement so terrifyingly gentle.
"The choice is entirely yours, Celine. Look at the man," Leo whispered. Without warning, he grabbed her head and forced it to turn so she was staring directly at Kevin, who sat slumped and helpless in the chair.
Kevin shook his head violently. His voice was nothing more than a muffled growl behind the layers of duct tape sealing his mouth. His feet kicked at the floor in a frantic, chaotic rhythm. He created a series of heavy thuds, his entire body struggling to convey something urgent to Celine.
