86. Purest Torture

ZADIE WILSON

A sharp sting on my left cheek made me whimper.

My eyelids batted rapidly, fighting the drowsiness that threatened to pull me under as my heart tightened.

“Rise and shine, sleeping beauty.”

A voice called for me. It sounded so far yet so close to me and I tried to wiggle out of the uncomfortable position I was in even though I still remained half-conscious. I realized that my hands were tied and so were my ankles.

That realization caused my eyes to open wide. Gone was the drowsy feeling I was battling with earlier and my brain finally registered that I had been slapped earlier.

“Ahh! She is finally awake.” The same voice that I couldn't recognize while I was half conscious sang when my eyes fluttered open.

And my face furrowed, knitting into a frown when my eyes settled on the face of the person in front of me.

“I didn't bring you here to sleep even though you seem to need the rest.”

The man before me uttered emotionlessly.

Recognition must have flashed through m