"Our boss clawed his way up from the depths of the underworld. Whether your mission is noble or nefarious, when push comes to shove, it's a toss-up as to who emerges victorious!"

As the man delivered his ominous ultimatum, Ariana decided to engage with him no more. At this juncture, maintaining an imposing presence was crucial, but conserving energy was equally vital.

Time dragged on in the suffocating silence, with the man keeping them confined, neither assaulting them nor offering food or a drink.

In this eerie hush, seconds turned into minutes, and Tom's restlessness grew, hanging over him like a storm cloud, threatening to burst at any moment.

He cast a glance at Ariana, who had maintained an unflinching composure throughout, and voiced his guilt in a hushed tone, "This whole mess is on me. It's obvious they came after me, but I've dragged you into this, Ariana. Are you holding up okay?"