**Chapter 6: The Torture Begins**

The cold, calculating gaze of Damien Varela made Elena shiver, despite the warmth of the luxurious room. He stood before her, his eyes boring into her very soul, as if searching for the truth behind her words. The memory of his touch, the feel of his hands on her skin, still lingered, making her stomach churn with anxiety. "So, Elena," Damien began, his voice low and even, yet dripping with menace, "tell me about Alex. What do you know about him?" He walked over to a chair and sat down, his movements fluid and controlled, like a predator stalking its prey. Elena shook her head, trying to clear the cobwebs. She was still disoriented from the chloroform, and her mind was foggy. But as she looked into Damien's eyes, she felt a surge of fear. She knew she had to be careful, that one wrong move could mean disaster. "I don't know anyone named Alex," she repeated, trying to sound convincing. Damien raised an eyebrow, his expression skeptical. "Don't play games with me, Elena," he warned, his voice cold and detached. "I know all about your little life. I know where you go to school, where you live, and who your friends are. And I know that you're connected to Alex." He leaned forward, his eyes locked onto hers, and Elena felt a shiver run down her spine. As she looked into his eyes, Elena saw something there that made her heart skip a beat. It was a glimmer of curiosity, of interest, that she hadn't expected. But it was quickly extinguished by his cold, calculating gaze. "I'm telling the truth," Elena insisted, trying to keep her voice steady. Damien sighed, his expression turning bored. "Very well," he said, standing up and walking over to her. "If you want to play it that way, then let's try something else." He reached out and brushed a strand of hair out of her face, his touch sending shivers down her spine. Elena flinched, trying to move away, but she was bound too tightly. Damien's eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing. "You're afraid of me," he said, his voice low and husky. "And you should be." As he spoke, Elena felt a surge of adrenaline coursing through her veins. She knew she had to think fast, to come up with a way to escape, or at least to stall for time. But as she looked into Damien's eyes, she saw something there that made her heart skip a beat. It was a glimmer of uncertainty, of doubt, that she hadn't expected. "Why are you doing this?" Elena asked, trying to keep her voice steady. Damien's expression turned cold, his eyes glinting with amusement. "I'm doing this because I want to," he said, his voice low and menacing. "And because I can." Without warning, Damien's hand lashed out, striking Elena across the face. She cried out in pain as her head spun, her vision blurring. She felt a wave of dizziness wash over her, and her mouth filled with blood. She spat it out, her eyes welling up with tears. "Don't make me hurt you, Elena," Damien warned, his voice dripping with menace. "Tell me the truth." Elena shook her head, trying to clear the cobwebs. She knew she had to keep her wits about her, to survive this ordeal. But as she looked into Damien's eyes, she saw something there that made her heart skip a beat. It was a glimmer of cruelty, of pleasure, that she hadn't expected. And in that moment, Elena realized that she was in grave danger, that she had to find a way out of this situation before it was too late. But as she looked into Damien's eyes, she saw something there that made her wonder if she was already too late. The pain was intense, but Elena refused to give in. She gritted her teeth, trying to keep her composure, but it was no use. Tears streamed down her face as she begged Damien to stop. But he just laughed, his eyes glinting with pleasure. "You think you can withstand my pain?" he taunted, his voice low and husky. "You think you can survive me?" Elena shook her head, her vision blurring. She knew she couldn't take much more of this. She was on the edge of collapse, her body screaming for mercy. But she refused to give in, refused to let Damien break her. As the pain continued, Elena felt her mind begin to fragment. She was losing herself, losing her grip on reality. She was trapped in a living nightmare, and she didn't know how to escape. But she refused to give up, refused to let Damien win. And in that moment, Elena realized that she had to find a way to survive, to find a way to overcome the pain and the fear. She had to find a way to escape, to find a way to make Damien pay for what he had done to her. But for now, she was trapped, trapped in a world of pain and fear, with no escape in sight.