THIRTY FIVE

Michael's POV

I slowly came to, my head pounding with pain. I was lying on a cold, hard floor, my hands bound behind my back. I struggled to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through my head, making me gasp.

"Welcome back, Michael," Cynthia's father sneered, his face hovering above me. "I see you're just in time for the main event."

I tried to speak, but my mouth was dry and my voice was hoarse. I looked around, trying to take in my surroundings. I was in some sort of underground chamber, the walls lined with stone and the air thick with the scent of dampness.

And then, I saw Ruth. She was standing across the room, her eyes fixed on me with a mixture of fear and determination. She was still bound, but she looked unharmed.

"Ruth," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

Cynthia's father laughed. "Ah, yes. Ruth. My dear, sweet Ruth. She's been quite...cooperative."

I felt a surge of anger and hatred towards Cynthia's father. I knew I had to get out of here, had to save Ruth. But how?

Suddenly