Chapter 173: CH 173: Truth and Dare (2)
Tasha met with Dave’s gaze, her eyes refusing to look away. Her pride screamed at her to spit in his face, to laugh off his twisted game. But that void... The oppressive cold... The unseen beasts circling in the dark like vultures with fangs...
No.
Not again.
And yet, she couldn’t let him see the fear twisting inside her like a knife. She swallowed hard, forcing her voice into something steady, almost defiant. Almost.
"Fine," she said at last, her jaw tight. "I’ll play."
The words came out sharper than she intended, but her tone cracked at the end, softening unexpectedly. To Dave, it landed like music, an unexpected sweetness in her reluctant surrender. He tilted his head, a smile tugging at his lips as he nodded, clearly amused.
"Good girl," he said, savoring the moment. "I knew you’d see reason."
Dave then clasped his hands behind his back, a casual air about him as he circled Tasha once more. The dim torch light dancing shadows across the walls and over his face, making his expression unreadable.
"Alright," he said, voice light but edged with anticipation. "Here’s how it works: I’ll state the truth... and then follow it up with a dare. Simple, yes?" He stopped just in front of her, tilting his head slightly. "Are you ready?"
Tasha didn’t answer with words. Her eyes narrowed, her lips curling into a tight frown. Then she gave a single, stubborn shake of her head, no. Not in agreement, not in protest. Just... defiance.
"Do whatever twisted thing you’ve got in mind," she muttered, her tone laced with disdain. "I don’t care."