Mr. Sergio's voice was sharp, slicing through the stale air like a blade.
"What did you think you were doing? Recording me? Really?"
His hand moved before Cherry could even flinch, landing a slap that burned hot against her cheek.
Her head snapped to the side, the metallic tang of blood blooming in her mouth.
Before she could recover, his hand gripped her throat, squeezing just enough to make breathing a chore but not enough to completely choke her.
"You were lucky you survived death the last time, and you didn't see that as an opportunity to run for your life!" he hissed, his face so close she could feel the heat radiating from his anger.
A speck of his spit landed on her cheek, mixing with the sweat clinging to her skin.
Mr. Sergio's laughter was dark and low, curling around the room like smoke from a burning fire.
