Tyson exit of the room in pursuit of Kate was abrupt, his supposition that she had fled the premises. Nieman resumed initiating her torturous scheme for Emma. She seized a fistful of Emma's dark brown locks and thrusting her forehead into the blunt edge of the basin. Emma emitted an anguished groan upon contact and dropped to the concrete.
"You're going to regret crossing me, darling." Kelly threatened, heaving Emma off of the unforgiving floor. Kate noticed a collection of blood where Emma's forehead had fallen, likely a fresh site in need of stitches.
Emma had nothing in her, but to laugh in response, "Regret." Her demeanor shifted, eyes now emanated an unyielding tenacity. "I'll regret none of what is to follow this moment. You fancy yourself a powerful and cunning woman, but you know nothing of what I'm willing to do. Of what I'm capable of." The conviction in Emma's voice stirred Kate. Kelly shifted with tension before refuting Emma's statement.
"Give it time." She scoffed before plunging Emma's head into the frigid water. She secured it there for several minutes.
Kate knew Nieman wouldn't drown Emma, not this soon. It would inhibit her ability to savor in the anguish she was merciless inflicting. It gnawed at Kate to watch such an inhumane act. She could sympathize with having endure such torture. With the two killers separated now was her best opportunity to influence the odds of survival, not only for her, but for Emma also. She was on a timetable and needed to come up with a plan fast. As she surveyed the room she noted that Kelly had left her phone unsupervised on the desk behind her.
Emma gasped for air, choking as she did so. "Do your...worst." Her labored cough stifled her words. "This pain is nothing compared to what I've already lost."
"Oh, Emma, so dramatic." Kelly mocked returning the frail woman to the bitter water. This time it didn't take as long for Emma to struggle against Kelly in a panic.
With Kelly's concentration on Emma, Kate exercised caution as she slinked toward the phone. She was almost to the desk when Kelly hauled Emma from the water. The poor woman was trembling with ferocity, her body heaving with each excruciating cough. The water in the basin saturated a muted crimson from Emma's open wounds, a sight that made Kate's stomach churn. Now was not the time to lose her composure. She willed herself to continue – if she could steal the phone she could at least call 911.
"You've taken everything that gave my life significance." Emma declared with resentment after Kelley withdrew from the water. "I don't fear death, Kelly. I welcome it."
"You still have a while yet before it will come to that." Nieman sniggered.
"So be it."