The ending scene of Chapter 12 from Marinette's POV.
Marinette opened her eyes in pitch darkness. She blinked one, two, three times, trying to adjust to the obscurity. Where was she? She looked around the unfamiliar room, trying to figure out what was going on. She remembered a few things, but everything was so confusing. The faces were half-formed, the details were blurred...
What's going on?
It took a couple of minutes, but slowly the memories started making their way out of the haze. And as she remembered, terror seized her. She glanced at the sleeping figure next to her. Her throat tightened, and bile rose in her throat as if her body itself revolted against his presence.
I need to get out.
Her unshed tears clouded her vision, but she couldn't cry. Not now. It would come later, when she was safe, when the nightmare was over. For now, she had to stay focused, had to act before it was too late. Carefully and quietly, she eased the blanket aside, holding her breath. Each movement was calculated as she rose from the bed, her steps featherlight on the floor.
I can do this, I can do this, I can do this...
The floor cracked beneath her weight. She should've known. Should've guessed. After all, luck hadn't been on her side in a long, long time.
Marinette stood still, silently praying to whoever would listen, when his voice, sharp as a blade, shattered the silence;
"Where do you think you're going?"
Panic surged through her. Lie, lie, lie, she thought as her heart pounded in her chest. She turned slowly, a trembling smile on her lips.
"I just need to go to the bathroom ...," she paused before adding, not fast enough, "baby."
Dylan sighed. "Do you really think I'm that stupid?"
Their gazes locked in a silent confrontation that felt like an eternity. And then, they both lunged into action. Adrenaline surged through her veins as she ran toward the window, her mind made. She wouldn't survive the jump. Not at this height and without her miraculous. But death was her only escape. And truth be told, she'd rather die than continue living like this. With her death, she could reclaim the life that had been stolen from her. She could destroy them and finally, finally, find peace.
Just as her fingers grazed the cool edge of the window frame, Dylan seized her from behind. She tried to fight back. Really, she did. Marinette fought with everything she had, fought like a trapped animal, lashing out at her captor—kicks, scratches, bites. But Dylan's grip was an iron vice, and she was no match for his strength. He held her against his chest with one hand, while the other searched for the damn drugs she hated so much.
"Please, please, please, stop!"
"Just stand still, it'll all be over soon."
Marinette wouldn't go down without a fight. She headbutted him and for a second, she thought she had a chance. He cursed, momentarily stunned, before grabbing a handful of her hair and tugging. Hard.
"Calm the fuck down!"
He forced her down onto the bed, using his whole body to hold her down. She couldn't move, couldn't even breathe as he pressed her face into the bed, muffling her screams. Gosh, she wanted to cry as she felt his touch on her.
"You're so overreacting," he said while tying her hands. "Just stay still!"
Why was he whispering? Usually, when she woke up, he called Lila for help. They would hold her down together and Lila would laugh at her. But Dylan spoke as though he didn't want to be heard. Like someone else... Like someone else was in the apartment. Wait...
Her heart raced as she remembered. No, they weren't alone. Marinette could've laughed and cried and everything in between when she realized just who, exactly, was here with them. She somehow managed to turn her head, panting. And then, with every ounce of strength she could muster, Marinette screamed at the top of her lungs;
"Adrien!"
"Shut the fuck up!" Dylan yelled in response, putting a hand on her mouth, effectively silencing her.
The door suddenly burst open and there he was. Tears blurred her vision as she took Adrien in—taller, broader, a somehow more handsome and older version of the boy she had once known. Dammit, how many years had passed? But it wasn't the time to think about it. For now, the only thing that mattered was that he was right there. He was going to save her from this hell. She trusted him.
"Help me," she tried to say against Dylan's hand.
Adrien's eyes widened as he stared at her, face pale, and he took a step forward. Just as hope seemed within grasp, the cold touch of the needle punctured her skin.
No, no, no, no, not again ..., she thought as the world faded into nothing more than darkness once more.