When I was younger, Master often demanded play time, as he liked to call it. Lately, his visits had been less frequent, but the pain was awful when he did come. Sometimes I suffered for days to the point where I couldn’t walk. Whether he was punishing or tiring of me, I didn’t know or nor did I care. I might not know my age, death, however, was welcome at any time.
“Fine, you can go.” His hand dropped away.
Although I breathed easier, I hid my joy.
Master walked out, and Zarina grasped my arm lightly. “Are you happy?” I nodded. “You never smile, do you?”
I stared at her, willing the emotion to come forward, then slowly shook my head. “I don’t know how to.”
She frowned but didn’t say anything more about it. “I’ll be back later with something for you to wear. Okay?”
After my nod, she left, and I watched until the door closed. If Luke, Master’s guard, weren’t in his seat, stone still as usual, I would’ve danced around the room. But I didn’t want him to report that to Master, who’d probably change his mind. Instead, I chose to take a bath.
Chapter 3 – Cinder
Too nervous to read, I sat on the edge of my bed and imagined all the things I would see when Zarina returned for me. Fear of the unknown crept along my spine, threatening to consume my happiness. I forced it back down. This was an opportunity for me, an escape, perhaps.
I only had hope, nothing else.
The door opening had me slowly standing as Luke entered. Wordlessly, he gestured for me to come. Clutching my tunic, I neared him and followed him out the door and down a long passage.
My heart jumped in my chest, I climbed the curved stairs that seemed to go round and round forever. I felt like Cinderella when she arrived at the ball and didn’t know what to expect. Just before I reached the top, I stopped and stared at Luke’s back. Even though I’d dreamt of this moment, of freedom, of discovering a new world outside my room, I was shaking with anxiety and anticipation.
I fingered the pink ribbon around my wrist, asking for strength. Luke looked at me over his shoulder, his soft brown eyes commanding me to move. Even now that I was allowed to leave the room I’d been locked in for so long, he still never spoke.
Forcing my legs to move, I climbed the last four stairs watching Luke disappear through a door at the top. The second I reached it, I blinked against the sudden brightness and covered my eyes momentarily, calling for the darkness I knew so well. My nose pricked at the new smells swirling the air around me. Some were sweet, and others like some of the food I ate. But I knew none of them, so I just inhaled deeply.
“Get moving, kitten,” Master barked.
Slowly opening my eyes, I allowed the brightness to burn them for a few seconds before I stepped into a large black-and-white room filled with things I couldn’t describe or understand what they were used for.
“I brought you this to wear.” Zarina held up a shiny pink dress. She’d changed from her earlier black trousers and white top into a pretty red dress.
Excitement filled me before Master killed it with a sharp, “No. She wears that, or she doesn’t go.” He pointed to something lying on a counter.
Zarina walked over, lifted the garment, and held it against her body. It was a long black dress. “Seriously.” She laughed. “This will hang on her thin body like a freaking maxi.”
