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.

of the words Heidi had once said

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what finally made

stumbled onto the

as she lay down, she saw a familiar

she remembered. Gone was her porcelain skin.

close look,

up in Leonora's

over to Heidi, sobbing, "Heidi,

if seeing a demon, kicking Leonora away as she

in disbelief. "Heidi, it's me, Leonora.

closer, and I'll

were as harsh as

savior, but now it was clear that

didn't want to invite trouble

ruthless, Leonora

each

still of the night, as Heidi stepped into the

could scream,