CHAPTER 37

The clock struck twelve, shrouding the surroundings in a cloak of silence as most of the servants had wrapped up for the day. It was the perfect opportunity to sneak into the kitchen undetected. With the absence of any personnel in the vicinity, there was little to no obstacle in reaching the desired destination.

As I opened the door to the kitchen, the bright fluorescent lights flickered to life, illuminating the rows of gleaming stainless steel appliances and neatly arranged cabinets.

The silence was broken only by the hum of the refrigerator as I rummaged through its contents for the one thing that could quench my thirst - a bottle of water. My hand closed around the plastic container, the coolness of its surface sending a shiver down my spine. Unscrewing the cap, I popped a pill into my mouth and chased it down with a gulp of water. The liquid flowed down my parched throat, its iciness sending waves of relief through my body, as if I had just stumbled upon an oasis in the middle o