No Strings Attached

Left to fend for herself in this godforsaken place, Leonora knew she couldn't let things continue this way.

Just then, she felt something being poured over her head.

Curious, she tilted her head back, catching a woman in the act of emptying a basin over her.

Leonora, who had always lived a life of privilege, had never experienced such indignity.

She sprang up and charged at the woman, with teeth clenched in rage. "What the hell did you just dump on me?"

The woman burst into raucous laughter. "Take a whiff. You'll figure it out."

It was then that Leonora noticed the foul, rancid odor invading her nostrils. She instantly realized what the liquid was. Furious, she raised her hand to strike the woman.

But her hand was only halfway up when it was abruptly seized, and a thudding blow came crashing down on her head.

A chair smashed over her, sending her world into a dizzying spin.

That was followed by a flurry of punches and kicks.

After a brutal half-hour beating, Leonora was left nearly dead.

words Heidi had once said to

Sᴇaʀ*ᴄh the FɪndNovᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to

was what finally made

and stumbled onto the

lay down,

but not as she remembered. Gone was her porcelain skin. Her eyes lacked their usual sparkle, and

a close look, she

up in Leonora's

Heidi, sobbing, "Heidi, how are you holding

Leonora away as she swore viciously, "Get lost. I don't

disbelief. "Heidi, it's me, Leonora. Don't you

Get any closer,

words were as harsh as the pain

now it was clear that Leonora was

didn't want to invite

Heidi so cold and ruthless,

each other.

still of the night, as Heidi stepped

could scream, her mouth