I’m sitting here in a corner, trying not to think about my bloodied hands and how much I’d love a shower right now. My mind can’t stop going back to that moment when I stabbed that lady with the sharp camera piece, and I can’t stop wondering if I killed her.
If I’m now a murderer.
A shiver runs along my spine.
Suddenly, the door creaks open, and I look up. The light creeps in, and I block my eyes to prevent it from blinding me again. A guard steps in and disappears into the same darkness that’s surrounded us for days.
Where is he? Is he coming to get me?
I brace myself against the walls, prepared to fight him off.
A squeal emanates from the left side of the room. It isn’t mine.
“You’re coming with me,” the guard growls.
“No, let go of me!” the girl says.
“Wait!” I yell. “No, wait, don’t take her!” I beg, feeling my way along the wall to try to find them.
Right then, the guard appears in the door opening, with the girl held down on his shoulder. She struggles but is no match for his strength as he carries her outside.
I run toward them, yelling, “Take me instead!”
But the door is slammed shut right in front of me.
I slam it with both hands. “No … not her. She didn’t do anything.”
I punch it a few more times, but it’s no use. I have no way of getting out, no more weapons to use, nothing to pick the locks with. I’m here in the darkness, all alone once again … and it kills me.
The thought of having to spend more time in this cell without any companion is like death itself. With her, I had at least someone to share my pain and fears with. Now I have nothing but my own thoughts. Nothing but myself to keep me company … To drive me insane.
I crawl back into my trusted little corner and curl my arms around my knees.
Suddenly, the door opens again, catching me off guard. The light casts a silhouette around a man’s body as though he’s an angel come to rescue me.
He steps into my cell without hesitation, and I inch back until my body is right up against the wall, and I can’t go any farther. Even though the darkness makes it impossible to see, I know he’s right in front of me. His cologne penetrates my nostrils, and his breath is on my skin.
I shudder, my lips quaking as he touches my cheeks.
I’m expecting punishment for hurting the woman, for breaking the camera, for not being compliant.
Instead, I’m caressed so gently that it breaks me into tiny little pieces.
Tears stream down my face as the man pets me softly. After all these hours spent here, I almost forgot what human touch felt like. My head instinctively leans into his hand, desperate for more, even though deep down, I know this isn’t right.
He is one of them.
But right now, his kindness is the only thing I have, and I crave it so desperately.
And when his hand leaves my skin, I’m left with a wantonness I’ve never felt before and can’t explain, not even to myself.
With a dark, soothing voice, he says, “Put on the clothes … and you will be free.”
The sound of his breath becomes ever more distant, and it lures me forward to the middle of the cell. And as he stands in the door opening, with his back turned against me, I pick up the clothes … and I put them on.
A white dress covers my entire body along with a long, white shawl that goes on top of my head.
An outfit worn by the woman who tormented me.
Now … I am one of them.
The man glances over his shoulder, a final smirk resting on his lips, before he says, “Wait here.”
I hold my breath as the door closes once more.
But the darkness no longer contains me, no longer keeps me from seeing. Because my mind is overflowing with images of a man so gentle, so beautiful, that it numbed every speck of pain in my body and heart and replaced it with a warmth I’ve never known.
With a simple touch, he’s subdued me.
Made me … his.
Chapter 5
Natalie
When the door cracks open, I’m prepared.
I no longer block my eyes. I’m not afraid of the light or the chance that it’ll blind me. I fear nothing except what lies behind me, the darkness I’ve been forced to endure. The light isn’t here to hurt me; it’s an invitation into their world.
When they come to get me, I stand proud and hold out my hand.
A new woman enters my cell. She looks much younger than the one who came before, but she has that same stern look on her face that could scare anyone into submission.