Chapter 63

ELISE'S POV

The loud noise outside my cell woke me up from sleep. My body was sore from lying on the cold metal bed. The smell of rotting food and damp walls filled my nose. I slowly sat up, trying to make sense of what was going on outside.

I blinked feeling very disoriented, as I watched the guards outside my cell rush back and forth. They had urgent and worried expressions on their faces, like they were in trouble. Something was happening—something big. It was obvious.

“Hey! What’s going on out there?” I called out.

No answer. The guards didn’t even spare me a glance. Their attention was fully occupied by whatever crisis was unfolding beyond the cell. I crawled toward the iron bars of my cell, gripping them tightly as I leaned forward.

“What’s happening? Tell me!” I demanded, raising my voice.

But again, nothing. They acted like I was invisible, like I didn’t exist.

I started to feel frustrated. I hated this. I hated being treated like I was nothing. My entire life had been str