Then I noticed my hands, which were lighter than they’d ever been. My nails were white. All the dirt and grime that had clung to me for years and years and years was just…gone.
It was like part of me was missing, had been stolen while I slept, and my stomach roiled at the thought.
There was a bandage wrapped around my left hand. I couldn’t stop staring at all the clean skin that had been revealed. I’d never seen my skin like this, never been so…clean.
Had that man done this? When? How long was I out? Why was I still alive? What was he planning to do with me? Was he going to eat me?
My left foot was stiff and heavy, the feel of it so unfamiliar that it scared me, so I pushed the blanket down to look at it.
It was wrapped up, too, and there was a wooden thing attached to the side that went up to my knee.
My heart jumped. Gone was the darkness of dirt and grime from a decade spent barefoot. There was nothing but the pale, rough skin that was…mine. What I really looked like.
Even my toes were clean. I wiggled them, entranced at the sight.
I jolted when the door opened, grabbing at the blanket like that could protect me. The giant walked inside, ducking his head as he entered. His dark eyes flashed to mine, wide with surprise.
An enormous smile broke across his face, and my heart started clamoring against my rib cage. His gaze took in everyinch of me, darting to my bare feet, traveling up my legs, my torso, until it settled on my face.
“You’re finally awake.” He started to move toward me, then stopped. “I was just checking on you. Was gonna leave this on the nightstand in case you woke up thirsty.” He lifted a cup he was holding, then took a few slow steps to the small table with the lamp and set it down.
I shuffled to the other side of the bed, as far from him as I could get.
He took a step back, away from me, and lifted a huge hand to his hair, rubbing at the back of his head. “Look, I’m not gonna hurt you. I promise. You don’t have to be afraid of me. I know I’m big, but…” He shrugged, then laughed. “I mean, I didn’t really have any control over that. Anyway, please don’t be scared, you’re safe here. Really. I just want to help you.” A sadness crept into his eyes as he stared into mine. “I’m sorry you fell into my pit, I…” He looked away, rubbing at his jaw now. “Nobody ever comes up here. It’s for my protection. And Luna’s. I didn’t think…well, I guess it doesn’t matter now, what’s done is done. I’m sorry. Just know I’ll do whatever I can to help you get better. I’m so glad you finally woke up.”
He smiled again, and I frowned at him. I wanted him to go away. I was on edge, my heart racing as I braced myself to lunge away or attack him if he tried anything.
He kept smiling and gestured at me. “You’re very clean now. Mostly. And I put a splint on your ankle, though I’ll still try to find something to help you walk. I’m sorry I did it while you were out, but I…” He shrugged. “You were really dirty. Like,really, really dirty. I couldn’t risk your wound getting infected.”
My wound? I glanced down at my chest, about to yank open the collar of my shirt when he took a few steps toward me. I stilled, watching him as he studied my face. His lips curved up as his gaze drifted back to mine. “Here, I brought this so you couldsee. Your eyes are incredible, by the way. I didn’t know that was even possible.”
Didn’t knowwhatwas even possible?
I braced my hands on the bed, ready to move away if it was something that could hurt me. Except when he pulled the object out of his pocket, I had no clue what it was.
“Here,” he said softly, using both hands to open it. I jumped at the loudsnapsound, and his eyes briefly flashed to mine. “It’s okay, I’m just opening it for you.” He set it on the bed, pushing it with those long, thick fingers toward me, but not coming too close.
I kept my eyes locked on him. I wasn’t going to fall for that. He wanted to distract me with that…thatthing, and then he was going to…to…
“I’ll be right back, I have something else for you too.” He left the room, closing the door behind him.
I stared at the door, my heart pounding. I was so fucking confused. Was he going to get something bad? Something that would hurt me?
What was this thing, a bomb?
I glanced down at the contraption, ready to pick it up and throw it across the room, when my entire body froze up.
What…what was this? There was a person…
I moved my hand to my face, and the thing in the contraption did the same. Was that me? This was a…
A mirror. This was a mirror!
Excitement raced through me. I’d never seen myself in such a clear reflection. Sure, we would come upon metal things sometimes when Hayes took me out, and I’d seen my own warped reflection in them. But I had never seen anything this clear in my life.
Thatwas me? I picked up the mirror and brought it closer, mesmerized by the sight of my own face. I turned my head left, then right, then stared straight on at my eyes.
One was brown and one was blue. No wonder everyone called me a freak.
