, helpless woman to perfection. I would look at Jason with what I hoped passed for

say, forcing a dreamy sigh.

was ash in

e that had once made my stomach flutter. Now, it just made m

single, perfect white orchid. It was beautiful and i

d, tucking it gently behind my ear.

tending to be, that a fresh wave of rage washed over me. This flower wasn't a gift, i

spered, touching the so

tion went. That evening, as we sat by the fire

ing waves. "I'm scared. What if no one ever co

closely in the fl

ting rumble. He reached out and took my hand. "We can

beneath them: You are never leaving this island. It was a confirmation of my prison s

shed, "my work... I c

it. "Sometimes, the life we think we want isn't the one we'r

risoner, until he decide

sed. Jason was diligent in his "care," changing the dressing daily w

e thick green paste to the swollen skin around my break.

d became red, inflamed, and impossibly tender. At first, I thought it was a na

plant with a similar-looking leaf. I crushed it and smelled it. It was bland, earthy. Then, I smelled the paste from my leg. It had the same ea

infected, so severe, that it would either cripple me permanently or kill me slowly

cold and sharp. The game had changed. He wasn

miliar dread. He always insisted I drink it in front of him. He wanted me unconscious. He want

his voice laced with false sympathy.

slightly. I couldn't let him drug me tonight

p. The pain is... really bad tonight." I looked at him, my eyes wide with fa

. A disruption

g his face before it was replaced by his pat

acting skill into the plea. "It would mean so

ng moment, then sighed.

lusioned corporate worker who had dropped out of society. It was a pathetic

tilted the cup ever so slightly, letting the drugged tea trickle down the side, soaking into the

pered, letting my eyelid

s, and forced my breathing to become

ht in the air. Finally, believing I was unconscious, he stood u

hurricane I had created was my only ticket out of her