Tangled

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Unshift 206

206 Lisa: Hearing Voices

It's disgusting to admit that I look forward to Marisol's presence, even though her treatment has only gone downhill. At least she brings food.

The first day I was brought here, there were voices. Whispers. Noises through the walls.

Lately, it's nothing but silence.

Every so often, there's that dripping water sound that lasts for hours, which used to drive me mad but is now a break from the monotony of nothing.

The clinking of the manacles around my wrists and ankles echoes in the dank cell as I gnaw at the hunk of bread in my hands, its crust stale and unappetizing. But hunger gnaws at my stomach, and this is my only way to fill it.

Marisol is crouched mere feet away, her eyes wide and curious as she watches me eat. It's unnerving the way she observes me like I'm some sort of exotic creature in a zoo. I try to ignore her, focusing instead on the meager meal in front of me.

The soup is a sickly shade of green, its scent reminiscent of rotting vegetables. I wrinkle my nose as I bring the bowl to my lips, but I'm surprised to find that it doesn't taste as bad as it looks. It's thin and watery, but there's a hint of something savory that makes it almost palatable.

As I sip, I watch Marisol out of the side of my eye. Sometimes she seems so naive, like a child who doesn't understand the world

206 Lisa: Hearing Voices

around her. But other times, there's a sharpness to her gaze that makes me think she's far more cunning than she lets on. It's like playing a game of Russian roulette every time she comes to my cell -I never know which version of her I'm going to get.

Marisol shifts, her bare feet scraping against the rough floor. She leans in closer, her breath hot against my skin as she whispers, "You eat like an animal."

I flinch at her words, my cheeks burning with shame. I want to

snap back at her, to tell her that I'm not an animal, that I'm a person with thoughts and feelings and a life outside of this cell. But I bite my tongue.

Instead, I focus on the bread, tearing off another piece and shoving

it into my mouth. The crust scratches at my throat as I swallow. I should have soaked it in the soup. Maybe I will.

a twisted sort

like a curious bird. "Do you dream

voice barely

mouth. Do I dream of freedom? Of course I do. Every moment of every day, I dream of breaking free from these chains and running as far away from this place as

things," I say

that sends shivers down my spine. "I dream too," she says, her eyes glazing over as if lost in thought. "I dream of the day when the master will make me his queen, and

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206 Lisa: Hearing Voices

that? How can she desire a life of servitude to a monster who keeps her locked away in

soup is gone now, the bowl empty save for a few stray drops of green liquid. I set it aside, my stomach still grumbling with hunger. Marisol watches me, her eyes glinting in the dim

to love it here," she says, her voice soft and almost dreamy. "Just like I did. The master will

pounding in my chest. "Never," I whisper, my voice trembling with fear

time, and I'm immensely grateful. Still, every day is just another day of anxiety twisting in

her

she's gone again and I'm back to silence, my belly full

to lose

been here

Have they given up?

think I'm

Is Ava dead?

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206 Lisa: Hearing Voices

driving me insane. I almost miss the feverishness after the vampire drank from me, the misery of weakness. At least then, I didn't notice when

brought me around my shoulders. It wasn't out of kindness-she was tired of seeing me naked and didn't want to

in

drift off into a fitful sleep, an unfamiliar rustle catches my attention. My heart leaps into my throat as I

my utter shock, a rumpled piece of paper flutters into my cell, landing on the floor

Is this real?

I finally succumbed to the madness of

the paper, my fingers shaking as I unfold it. My heart pounds in my chest, hope and fear warring within me. Could this be a message from the outside world? A sign that