"No," she manages, "No questions." The parameters of the challenge are clear enough. The outcome, though: that's uncertain. Rose is always so devious, so particularly good at caging Pearl with her sweet words and subtle commands. Tying her up with the gentlest hand, knot by knot, as the twin demons of helplessness and failure circle nipping at her ankles. Leaving her no way out, but never leaving her: she always holds Pearl, afterwards, and strokes her hair, and it's the best thing...

Pearl has other things to focus on right now, though. She gulps and reaches up, her hand hovering over the shower knob.

"I'm ready."