l's

ght away something was reall

ike no one had slept there for a long time. I sat up slowly and my whole body hurt, my muscles ached and my j

nting of a forest. The furniture was simple and old. There was a dresser in the corner and just one chair b

was my

empty, there was nothing. Then I checked the small closet next to the door. The

here were my clothes and my jewelry? What about the little box of letters my mom wr

ened and I

holding a tray with water and bread. She wore simple pack

ed herself. "I mean Rael. You're awake,

y voice was rough and cracked bec

the small table by the bed. "I don't know about y

are

've been the pack doc

t I wasn't surprised. A lo

aid, pointing to the bed

much I had no choice. I sat down hard,

asked, motion

new what she was looking at. The scars were thick and ugly, wrapped around my wrists like silver brace

ietly. Her voice sounded kin

es

gh it didn't hurt anymore. The pain was long go

re," I said.

in her eyes. I hated that.

I s

odest anymore. What did it even matter now? She was a healer, she

her shar

Round burn marks on my sides and stomach from hot metal. Deep cuts on my ankles just

ispered. She put her hand to her

matter?

w what happened so I

said and put my nightgo

omething. Were you kept

n and stared at

how l

e ye

"You are very weak. You don't have enough food in you and your body is

m f

ont of the whole pack. You were out for a whole day and night.

t say a

tell me wh

N

have yo

N

ell me anyt

N

I can't make you talk. But I'm here if you

Your husband has been sitting outside your room since you wok

ger boiled in my throat

cares ab

again, my voice cold and har

anted to say more but

. Five years. Five years of pain and darkness and torture. Five years o

erything was differen