ne

ee

It felt like I'd been dropped into another world, a world too quiet, too clean,

lief, but the silence

g like that. The people here, like the butler, Richard, brought me food every day. I barely touched it. The plates were piled h

eat like this before

lf to take more than a few bites. What if they were tes

d strange, shiny devices I didn't understand. The toilet was so white it almost sparkled. I hadn't touched it. How

anged. The room reeked of sweat and urine, but no one said an

Safer than ruining the large, immaculate bed. I kept waiting for someone to come i

omeone, anyone, would just tell me wh

rs slipped down my cheeks. My stomach growled again, b

door crea

dy te

ueezed my eyes shut, tighter, trying to block

lowed froze me in plac

the

him. My

rd it felt like it might crack my ribs. His voice

oming, threats, pain. That was

the bright light. His eyes were scanning the room, wide and sharp, taking in everything. The soiled sheets, t

loor. My chest tightened as shame clawed at

liberate. I flinched as his shoes creaked against the floor, squeezi

im exhale sharply, like he was trying to cal

a knife to the chest. My mouth opened, a reflex, though I k

ffle of fabric as he knelt down. I fel

ter now, his voice s

oul

one was different from before, less sharp but still firm

t with embarrassment, my eyes darti

moment, he

er, almost like he was talking to hims

Of course he was but why was he not hitting me, or w

self. But there was no blow, no yelling, instead he rub

boomed and I jumped

ing in fear. What had I done again? Was he ca

ared at the door, his face p

sharply."And find her some clothes, some

sed like a fish out of water,

his voice leaving

to me. I quickly looked down, staring at m

h. Tears slipped down my cheeks. This was it. I brace

. He led me to the bathroom door, pushed it ope

ed that the hard way. I shuffled into the large, gleaming bathr

ower," he

lowly, I began to undress, peeling off the soiled dress and undergarments. I placed them carefully

tence. I glanced up through my lashes to find him staring at me, his e

than anything else. His reaction stung, and I couldn't stop the fresh tears t

looked back at me, his eyes stayed fixed on mine, avoiding t

glass enclosure. But then I felt him move

ur back?" he asked, h

tall as if he had burned me. His gaze followed, filled

s temples. Then, his tone shifted, softer but still firm. "Take your

o respond. Mine? They couldn't

s. How was I supposed to use this? At Monica's, ther

the buttons, hoping for the best. Instead, a blast of steaming water erupted, hitting me sq

uncontrollably. His arms wrapped ar

e asked, his voice

He wasn't yelling. His hands stayed gent