Chapter 22: Descent into Madness

Kody's eyes sparkled with a sadistic glint as he walked towards Ashley, the pillow still clutched in his hand. Ashley's eyes widened in terror as she realized his intentions, her mind still reeling from the trauma of watching him silence her babies. She tried to scramble backward, but her body felt heavy and unresponsive, as if rooted to the spot. Kody's face was inches from hers, his breath hot against her skin as he pressed the pillow against her face. Ashley felt a wave of panic wash over her, her lungs burning as she struggled to breathe. She kicked out at Kody, but her movements were weak and uncoordinated, as if she was drowning in a sea of despair. The pressure on her face increased, and Ashley's vision began to blur. She felt herself being pulled down into a dark abyss, her mind screaming in protest as her body began to shut down. Just as she was about to pass out, Kody lifted the pillow, and Ashley gasped for air, her lungs burning. Kody's face was twisted into a cruel smile as he gazed at Ashley, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "22 years old and you're still kicking," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I'm impressed." Ashley's eyes were wide with fear as she stared up at Kody, her mind reeling from the trauma she had endured. She was trapped in a living nightmare, and she didn't know how much more she could take. Kody's laughter was like a knife to her soul, cutting deep and leaving her feeling raw and exposed. As Kody stepped back, Ashley collapsed to the floor, her body wracked with sobs. She was a shell of her former self, a broken and shattered woman who didn't know how to escape the hell that Kody had created for her. Kody's eyes watched her with a cold, calculating gaze, as if he was studying a specimen under a microscope. "You know, Ashley," he said, his voice low and menacing, "I think it's time we took things to the next level. You're not going to be able to hold on to your sanity much longer." Kody's smile grew wider as he turned to leave, leaving Ashley alone in her darkness, her mind shattered by the trauma she had endured.