Omnitech Corporation

I stand frozen, terrified like a cornered prey, waiting for the predator to finally deliver the fatal blow. Time seems to warp, each second stretching into infinity as my thoughts race, flashing through my mind like the carriages of a locomotive at full speed. They're going to take me to that box too. Hang me up like a piece of meat... I can almost hear their laughter as they savage my broken body, violating and torturing it until hysteria and madness take over.

I must flee... Mom! Dad! Help me, please...

Suddenly, a brutal shock pulls me out of my thoughts, something hitting the side of my head. The pain bursts, instant, throwing my mind out of that oppressive loop. I blink, my vision blurry, trying to understand what just happened. I turn my head and see Clara, her posture tense, holding a tug rope in her mouth. Her eyes, usually so gentle and faded, now glow with intense anger.

Before I can say anything, she swings the rope again, the silicone knot hitting me full in the cheek. The pain is sharp, like liquid fire spreading under my skin. A cry of surprise and pain escapes me despite myself. Why is she doing this? Why is she attacking me?

Awkward in my harness, I try to back away to create some distance, but she moves forward immediately, closing the gap with troubling mastery. Clara is ready to attack again, the rope hanging from her mouth like a toy a dog would bring back to its master.

"Clara, stop!" My pleading voice trembles, choked by the tightened collar around my neck. But she doesn't respond, her eyes fixed on me, shining with an intensity that hints at her determination to break me. I'm scared... Some executives, noticing the scene, start to encourage and cheer Clara on, as if they were watching a gladiator fight.

She lunges at me and, with a swift movement, rotates her head, swinging the knot at the end of the rope right at my face. Reflexively, I raise my elbow to shield myself, successfully parrying the blow. But now on only three points of support, I lose my balance and fall to the side.

On the ground and vulnerable, Clara pounces on me, delivering blow after blow, not giving me the slightest opening. In desperation, I tuck my head in and raise my elbows as high as possible, curling up like a turtle, enduring her relentless attacks.

But as I take the hits, I realize her attacks are slowing down and losing power. Clara shows the first signs of fatigue. During one strike, I take advantage of a moment of relaxation to trap the rope between my elbows. I pull it towards my mouth, my teeth clamping down on it, then, with a surge of determination, I propel my body to the side to get back on all fours.

Face to face, our duel continues. Motionless, each with one end of the rope clenched between our teeth, we challenge each other with our gazes. Panting, Clara's face is bright red, a sign of her lack of oxygen and fatigue. Yet, she persists, taking the initiative by suddenly pulling the rope to the side, trying to throw me off balance.

But I hold firm, resisting by tensing all the muscles in my body. I retaliate immediately, trying to destabilize her in turn. The result is meager: she slightly sways towards me, but remains steady and in control.

The duel is strange, almost absurd in this humiliating posture. We both pull on the rope, our faces close, our bodies stiff, restricted by harnesses and straps. Each movement painfully compresses the plug, discomfort radiating in my belly. The belt around my waist constricts me, making every breath difficult. But I don't let go.

Some executives, seated a bit further away, watch us with amused smiles. "Come on, Clara, show her who's the best!" one of them exclaims, his eyes sparkling with sadism. Another, sitting casually, says to his colleagues, "Everyone's rooting for Clara! It's really not fair for the new one."

Their voices, barely veiled with contempt, echo cruelly in my mind. My heart beats wildly, the mix of fear and anger blurring my thoughts. We've become distractions, mere circus animals.

I decide to go all in and pull with all my might. But Clara, anticipating my attempt, suddenly releases the rope, leaving me to pull into nothing. Off balance, I fall to the side. This time, Clara gives me no chance and jumps on me, trying to crush me with her elbows.

A sharp pain explodes in my chest, drawing a scream from me. Clara's pernicious elbow digs deeply into my flesh. I try to push her away, but she presses down even harder with all her weight. The pain is unbearable, and I struggle without really knowing what I'm doing.

I'm in pain... I'm helpless...

But then, a strong, authoritative voice rings out from the entrance of the room. "Stop! That's enough!" Gary is back. Clara immediately freezes and releases the pressure on me. "Fuck, you're not helping! Each of you to your kennel, now! Tonight, after service, you'll both be punished."

Gary pinches the bridge of his nose, eyes closed as if to regain his composure. With a casual gesture, Clara pulls away from me and heads to a kennel, completely ignoring me as if I didn't exist. Bruised, I get up with difficulty, each breath rekindling the pain in my chest. I also crawl towards a kennel, far from Clara's, relieved to finally get some rest.