Blublublub!*
Asphyxiation. One of the greatest fear-inducing experiences. It occurs when a person becomes deprived of oxygen which can result in unconsciousness and worse, death.
Trisha may have become stronger but against physiological attacks such as this, she's vulnerable due to her still being a living breathing human.
"Hey! She's going to drown!"
Josh's elder brother revealed a grim expression as he felt his stomach churn seeing a girl drown in front of his eyes. Why can't he step forward and stop the man who's torturing the 'vulnerable' girl? Just like what Trisha is experiencing right now, it's fear.
Trisha became more frantic and her movements hastened. Teren tried to hold on and keep her head underwater but he couldn't control her hands which soon attack the bucket itself.
Boom!*
With her strength, the bucket immediately exploded, releasing her from her misery.
"Haaaahh---!!"
She deeply breathed before vomiting the water she accidentally drank. Afterward, she began coughing and felt coldness evade her body. Trisha shivered. Teren was right, she had never felt this kind of fear before.
If not for the question she asked earlier if Teren would actually kill her or not, she would've been more scared now. However, she couldn't stop her biological body from reacting, sending countless signals to her brain that she lacks oxygen and she's going to die.
This stress gave scarred Trisha as she just curled there on the floor, remembering her experience.
Josh and his older brother looked at her with great pity. They wanted to offer her a warm towel but they didn't dare speak up. The torturer not only has the strength but also cold blood. They would rather not let that happen to them.
While they were standing there, frozen, Teren crouched down in front of Trisha again.
"I still have to picture you. So go take a bath."
When Trisha had just started developing a fear of water, Teren ordered her to take a bath. This was beyond cruel.
Naturally, Trisha would relentlessly shake her head in hope that Teren would not force her. Currently, she felt all her strength gone. However, who did she think Teren was?
"Let's go..." Teren then held her hand before glancing at Josh and saying, "Lead us to your bathroom."
Josh stayed still for a while before processing what he said and nodded.
"T-this way, Sir... I mean..."
Josh just gave up and waited for Teren for which the latter responded by pulling Trisha's hand.
"N-no... no more."
The proud her cried in front of others as she begged Teren. However, Teren didn't relent and pulled her.
"No!"
But she didn't have the strength to fight back. Even the elder brother's knees felt weak while he watch this girl wail in resistance. Is there really nothing he could do?
"Wait...!"
He put his hand forward but he was already too late. He just noticed but he was the only one remaining in this wide basement. Clenching his fist, he knew he couldn't do it...
Meanwhile, Trisha continued to resist Teren until they reached the bathroom.
"Get some new clothes for her as usual."
Teren asked Josh and he immediately followed. Afterward, he looked at Trisha's wet and fearful state before telling her-
"Go inside. You'll just take a bath."
"No..."
Teren paused for a while. Is that trauma too early for her or does she needs more time?
But just as he was thinking, he suddenly heard Trisha breathe deeply. He looked at her calms herself down. Although she was still scared, she have this determined expression on her face as if she's ready to face her fear.
"Then I guess you'll just have to wipe yourse-"
"No... actually, I'll take a bath..."
Trisha's words have resolution behind them.
At this moment, Teren didn't expect himself to think-
'What a monster...'
"Hm, go in then."
Trisha glanced at the bathtub that's filled with warm water. But before going in, she retorted.
"Stop smiling or I'll cave your face in."
The door then closed.
"Smiling...?"
Teren held his lips and cheeks again and found that Trisha's correct.
"Why the hell am I smiling?"
He muttered to himself. Soon though, he just shook his head and leaned onto the wall to wait. Soon, Josh arrived with the clothes. It was convenient that they were rich or Teren would find it hard to buy women's clothing on his own.
Not only that but the place itself was the biggest contribution. Teren know other locations but it would let the others; the members of the Devi House, the newly formed group composed of both the former Handwing and Spectre Gangs led by Teren. Because if they knew, they will definitely stop Teren.
They may participate in illegal business but they still have their borderlines. None of them is low enough to agree on torturing an outsider, especially a girl.
A few moments after Josh left, the door to the bathroom opened. Trisha's face peeked through the door and upon seeing Teren just standing there, she glared and spoke.
"Give me the clothes."
"It seemed that you're fine already."
Teren said while passing the clothes to her. However, Trisha just scoffed and didn't answer him. She just shut the door with a bang. Teren raised his eyebrows but didn't say anything. After a minute or so, the bathroom door opened and Trisha came out fully dressed.
Her outfit was far from fancy, it was normal at best but she's relaxed in it.
She moved around a little and nodded before staring at Teren and saying-
"So when will you take the picture? I'm ready."
"You're ready?"
"Yeah, wait... did you expect me to be ready? You even have your phone taken out earlier."
Teren couldn't say that he just took his phone out to recall how cameras work on it. He has barely taken a picture since then. All of his pictures were taken by his family.
Teren immediately stopped his train of thoughts when he reached that point and took out his phone.