The lights were all off, but I knew this place like the back of my hand. And unfortunately for me, so did they.

“She’s over here!” a voice cried out.

I turned and jogged silently, running my hand along the left brick wall. It was my way of throwing them off.

“She knows this place too well,” a frustrated voice shouted. “We’ll never find her.”

I slipped into a small nook in the wall, folding myself inside and covering my mouth to stifle my frantic breaths. Charlie’s voice had been among those I’d heard. Tears sprang to my eyes at the thought of him being controlled.

Around me, voices argued about who lost me and when. Their bickering was almost laughable. The organization I worked for had fallen under our enemy’s dark influence, their minds twisted to His will.

But not mine.

No, my resolve was unshakable. I would never join him, despite his persistent whispers. He was determined to crack my resolve, but I held strong.

Unfortunately, the Light Organization had powerful ability users. I prayed He wouldn’t use them against me.

Of course, my luck was nonexistent. A wave of nausea and pain hit me, and my vision blurred. I cried out, realizing they now had my location. I dropped to my knees, and suddenly, I was in the central room, the only place where the lights still worked.

Gasping for breath, I looked up to see Charlie, his gloved hand gripping my chin, his face twisted with something akin to contempt.

“Well, well, look who I’ve caught,” he said softly.

I tried to bat his hand away, but he held it easily.

“That’s not how you treat your leader,” he tsked.

“Charlie, snap out of it,” I pleaded. “You’re being controlled. Please…”

Another wave of agony surged through me, and I crumpled to the floor. The person responsible for this wasn’t part of the Light Organization; it wasn’t one of our abilities. Which meant…

“Charlie, don’t listen to Him. After everything they’ve done. Snap out of it!” I gasped.

Charlie stepped closer, grabbing my braid and yanking me up to my knees.

“We are the Dark. And soon, you will be too,” he said with a cold amusement that wasn’t truly his.

“I don’t understand,” I panted. “He will never get me to join the dark.”

Charlie shook his head and motioned for someone to approach. A figure in dark robes appeared, holding crystals that gleamed in the dim light.

“You see,” Charlie continued, “you’re the last person in the Lights. No matter how many times he’s tried to make you join us, it never works.”

The hooded figure flashed a cruel smile. “Don’t worry, little birdy. It should be relatively painless. But if you resist, it will be anything but.”

A pulse of pain shot through my mind, reminding me of the agony I felt moments before.

“Bind her,” the figure commanded sharply.

In minutes, rough ropes were wrapped around my wrists and ankles. I thrashed and writhed against the restraints, but they were too tight, digging into my skin. I fought to free myself, kicking and pulling, but each movement only tightened the bonds further. My struggles were futile, and the ropes cut into my flesh, sending waves of pain through me.

Desperation fueled my efforts. I twisted and squirmed, trying to loosen the bindings, my breath coming in ragged gasps. I could see Charlie’s eyes, clouded with dark influence, watching me with a detached curiosity. The ropes bit into my wrists, the sharp sting intensifying with every attempt to break free.

When I could fight no more, I slumped to the ground, panting heavily. The hooded figure leaned in, a cruel smile visible beneath the shadow of their hood. “Sweet dreams.”

“No.” I whispered

Then, the world dissolved into nothingness.