Hundred and Twenty-Four

VALERIA

"Wake up!"

After this curt command, I was shaken roughly. I curled in more on myself, afraid to open my eyes, afraid of what was in store for me the moment I opened my eyes. I gasped in pain when I felt a stinging slap on my arm. My eyes flew open. The old man who brought my meals was squatting beside me. This close to me, his nose was wrinkled in disgust.

I stank. I knew I stank. The only water Grace had allowed me during my incarceration here was just water to drink.

"Get up," the man barked, seeing I was fully awake. "You are coming with me."

"Where?" I asked.

His expression turned ugly. "Stop asking questions and move. Now!"

He made a threatening gesture. Not wanting to be manhandled again, I scrambled to my feet. He got a hold of the chains which he had already loosened and used it to lead me out of the room into another room which was a bathroom.

He pointed to the soap dish on the floor. "Use that. Take your bath."

I started to nod, because frankly I couldn't wait to wa