**Beneath the Surface**

The dimly lit quarters seemed to close in around them as Viper's words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken meaning. Sage felt a sense of trepidation wash over her, as if she was standing on the edge of a precipice, staring into an abyss of unknown depths. Viper's eyes seemed to bore into her soul, searching for something, and Sage couldn't shake off the feeling that she was being pulled under. As they stood there, the silence between them grew thicker, until it felt like a living thing. Viper's gaze never wavered, and Sage felt her heart racing in her chest, like a wild animal trying to break free. She knew that she had to be careful, that one wrong move could send everything spiraling out of control. Finally, Viper spoke, her voice low and husky. "I think we've talked enough for now, don't you?" Sage nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. But Viper's expression quickly turned cold, her eyes glinting with a sinister light. "Or was it just a ploy to get me to let my guard down?" she said, her voice dripping with menace. Sage's heart skipped a beat as she realized her mistake. "You threatened me, Sage," Viper said, her voice cold and detached. "You said that if I didn't tell you the truth, you would make sure I regretted it." Sage tried to speak, but her voice caught in her throat. She tried to back away, but her feet seemed rooted to the spot. Viper took a step closer, her eyes flashing with a malevolent light. "You should be careful what you wish for, Sage," she said, her voice dripping with malice. Sage tried to scream, but her voice was muffled by some unseen force. Viper's hands reached out, and Sage felt herself being pulled into a darkness that seemed to have no end. As Viper's body pressed against hers, Sage felt a sense of despair wash over her. She was trapped, with no escape in sight. The world around her seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them, locked in a struggle that seemed to have no end. Sage's mind reeled as Viper's actions became more aggressive, her body overpowering Sage's. The room seemed to spin around them, and Sage felt herself being pulled under, into a darkness that seemed to have no end. She was consumed by a sense of hopelessness, as if she was drowning in a sea of despair. And in that moment, she knew that she was at Viper's mercy, with no escape in sight.