You know, this might be a horribly written erotic story, but it's approaching a decent psychological horror thriller. So far she has invited some guys over for fun, and they have slowly taken over her life. This image is the moment in the story where she realizes it's not all fun and games. She's going to try to back out amiably, but they won't let her and their abuse intensifies and expands, maybe taking her money. Markus then murders Puzzle - that is the boilerplate "all is lost" section of the story. In the climax Nightshade has to be rescued from / escape Markus and Alabaster's not-sexy sex dungeon. Markus is killed in some oh-so satisfying way and Alabaster is arrested, allowing Nightshade to make some punchy one-liner to him in the "The End" panel.
Oh, man, it's so clear now.
|