Chapter 11: A sadistic game

Natalie

The day dawned bleak and dreary, matching my hollow mood perfectly. I dressed numbly and made my way to the kitchens for another endless day of toil and torment. Ever since Lucas had stripped me bare and forced me to eat from his hand like a dog, the fight had gone out of me.

I moved through my chores on autopilot - scrubbing, chopping, carrying. The daily indignities passed in a weary fog. I kept my eyes down and my shoulders hunched, willing myself invisible. It was safer to be mute and unremarkable.

The one bright spot was Mary slipping me extra scraps when the guards weren't looking. I would have starved on my rationed meals alone. Her small kindnesses meant the world in this harsh place.

I was hauling a bucket of stale dish water outside when the summons came - all slaves were to report immediately to the central courtyard. Dread curled in my gut. Sudden assemblies never meant anything good.

With Mary's arm supporting me, I limped across the compound to join the gathering