I open the drawer. Everything is organized. Folded perfectly. I grab a simple black set.
"Socks?"
"Same drawer. Right side."
I collect everything. Walk back into the bedroom.
Vittoria sits exactly where I left her. Staring at nothing.
I kneel in front of her. Set the clothes beside me on the floor.
"Arms up."
She blinks. Looks at me. "What?"
"Arms open. I'm going to dress you."
"I can do it myself."
"I know you can." I reach for the hem of her robe. "But you don't have to."
She hesitates. Then slowly raises her arms.
I pull the robe. She's naked underneath. Bruises are forming on her ribs. Her wrists.
Rage burns through me.
Later. I'll deal with it later.
I grab the underwear. Help her step into them. Pull them up gently.
She doesn't protest. Doesn't say anything.
I do the same with the leggings. Careful around the bruises on her ankles.
"Sit back down."
She sits. I kneel again. Put socks on her feet. One at a time.
"Arms up."
She raises them. I slide the sweater over her head. Guide her arms through the sleeves.
"Thank you."
"You don't have to thank me."
"I do." Her voice cracks. "I'm very mad at myself mostly."
I sit beside her on the bed. "Why?"
"Because I always believe I can do bigger things than what I can actually do." She pulls her knees up. Wraps her arms around them. "I thought I could handle it. I thought I could fight them off. I thought..."
She stops. Swallows hard.
"I thought I was smarter than this. Stronger than this. But I just froze. When they grabbed me, I just... I couldn't move. Couldn't think. I just let them take me."
"You activated your tracker."
