**Chapter 2: Descent into Darkness**

The next morning, Kieran woke up to the sound of his bedroom door creaking open. He sat up in bed, rubbing the sleep from his eyes, and that's when he saw her. Ariana was standing in the doorway, a mischievous glint in her eye. Before he could react, she pounced on his back, her legs wrapping around his waist like a vice. Her black tights-covered legs squeezed tight, holding him in place. Kieran tried to struggle, but Ariana's grip was too strong. Her hands closed around his neck, her fingers digging deep into his skin. He felt a wave of panic wash over him as he realized he was being choked. His vision began to blur, and his legs gave out from under him. Ariana's grip tightened, and Kieran's world went dark. When he came to, he was disoriented and groggy. He tried to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through his head, and he fell back onto the cold floor. As his vision cleared, he saw that he was in Ariana's bedroom closet. The room was small, with shelves stacked high with clothes and shoes. But it was what was in front of him that made his blood run cold. A dog cage sat in the corner of the closet, its metal bars gleaming in the dim light. Kieran's eyes widened as he saw that he was inside the cage, surrounded by a pile of dirty laundry. The smell was overwhelming, a mix of sweat and perfume that made his stomach churn. Ariana's voice came from outside the cage, her tone cold and detached. "Welcome to your new home, Kieran. You'll be staying here for a while." Kieran's eyes scanned the cage, searching for a way out. But it was locked, and he was trapped. He pounded on the bars, but Ariana just laughed, her voice echoing through the closet. "You'll learn to behave, Kieran. You'll learn to do exactly as I say." As Kieran watched, Ariana walked out of the closet, leaving him alone in the darkness. The cage was small, and he was forced to curl up in a ball to fit inside. He knew he had to escape, but for now, he was at Ariana's mercy. And that thought sent a shiver down his spine.