“So let me get this straight,” A said through clenched teeth. “You want me to give up information that you’ll use to kill thousands of people, in exchange for onelife.”
Villain smiled down at them, their knife resting against B’s throat. “But not just any life, A. Your friend’s life. Will you really just stand by and let me kill them?”
A squared their shoulders. “To protect innocent people? Yes.”
“You’re a fool then. Give me what I want and you and your friend go free. You can run away to anywhere you’d like and forget. For once in your life, be selfish.” They increased pressure on the knife, drawing a choked noise from B. “Or do nothing, and watch them die.”
“Do it then,” A replied. “Kill them, and lose the only bargaining chip you have.”
“I suppose you make a fair point there.” Villain’s fingers twisted through B’s hair, yanking their head back with a sharp motion. “But I wonder. How long will it be before the sound of their screaming breaks you?”
