I didn’t cry, but I called out.
Mama!
She pulled me into that darkness I prayed for.
Chapter 10 – Cinder
Iwould’ve stayed thereif I could. In the darkness. He wouldn’t let me. I woke to Master dragging me by my hair up the stairs. At first, I didn’t recognize those groans following me until my throat became dry and a soft croak spilled past my lips. By the time he reached his kitchen, my naked body had grown too numb to feel.
He left me in a crumpled heap of blood and pee I felt leaving my body. When I heard him moving around, I opened did I opd my eyes, puffy with sleep, to stare at the white ceiling. Small lights blinked at me, either taunting my inability to move or pushing me to wake up, to do something. To run as Luke said.
How?
I inhaled sharply, unsure if I imagined the sudden wind floating over me. It reminded me of the warm air Mama would blow over my skin whenever I hurt myself. I shook my head, wishing she were here right now.
Get up, Cinder!
Her voice echoed in my ear.
Startled, I jerked my head around, the only part of my body that felt easy to move, my eyes squinting at the corners I could see.
Get up, baby.
I can’t.
That same breeze passed over my face.Yes, you can. Your prince is coming, Cinder.
My prince?
Yes, baby.
Master whistled, a sound he always made when he was in a good mood, bringing me out of my almost real imagination with a jolt. Then I heard a strange noise before a new smell filled my nose. I couldn’t see him but could hear his shoes tap the white tiles as he moved.
“Would you like to join me for supper, kitten?” I jerked my head to see him looking at me over a white counter. “I’m making us a delicious steak stir fry.” Again, that weird noise. “Oh wait, you only eat broth, right.” His loud laugh hurt my ears.
He was right, though. He only fed me a broth I devoured when I was hungry, which was all the time. Sometimes, I was rewarded with a piece of steak or chicken if I gave him something in return, which usually ended in pain for me.
