A DAY IN MY LIFE

Aria's POV

It was back again, the dream, it was as vivid as ever. I could see flames licking the shadows of those trying to put it out and there was that overwhelming scent of smoke and iron that engulfed me where I was rooted.

I was always standing helplessly, not offering help or getting help. The helplessness clawed at my chest as my pulse raced, I tried reaching out as always, a struggle to move and just be close to them. To help them in my little way but slowly their faces, my parents blurred out before me as their terrifying sharp scream plunged and twisted my heart in pain. It hurts! Then the struggle to do something became intense as I shouted at the top of my voice then I heard it, loud and clear in my head…

I was brought back to reality by the piercing sound from the metal gong alarm, I jolted upright with my heart pounding as I gasped for air in my small cramped frigid room. I was sweating profusely as the familiar shiver of disappointment hit and washed over me as I looked around me.

It was unreal, just a dream again but that doesn't make it less painful or easier to bear instead the opposite. I looked around my ‘room’, it wasn't a place any creature deserved to live in. It was just a glorified storage shed that was at the very edge of the pack's territory.

I was shoved there even when the walls were already worn out and the lone always dusty window, no matter how I cleaned it, it was always dusty, and could barely let in sunlight during the day.

But I am not really worried about that because I am barely ‘home’ during the day. I looked around again and ran a hand through my hair, I don't have much time left. There was a lot of work waiting for me at the packhouse and I didn't want to be late. Hopefully today will be at least good and better.

I pulled away the worn out long piece of fabric I used as a blanket and kicked myself up from the ground. Folded the two pieces of fabric that served as my bed and bedspread before brushing my hair with my hands and pulling it into a ponytail.

I sighed as I wore my thin threadbare sweater and quickly brushed my teeth with the last drop of water. Hopefully if I come back earlier I will refill the house with water and take a shower. My monthly flow would be here soon and I would need to clean up often at least.

As I stepped out of the house, I heard my stomach growling, I only patted it as there was nothing I could offer.

“Let's do well with no mistakes today and we might get some scraps to bring home," I whispered to myself as I stared at my rumbling stomach. The long walk to the road began, I was used to it but today the weather was more chilly than usual so I had to hug myself to keep warm.

I trudged along the deserted road, waiting for a miracle. Hopefully luck would shine on me today and I would be able to get a ride to the packhouse or even to the city. I would always find my way around, just then I spotted a delivery truck I was familiar with.

My heart leapt with a little joy, if I am lucky enough I could get a ride to the packhouse which would save my time and even energy. I crouched to the ground so the driver wouldn't see me and once he had passed me, I stood and darted at the open truck, jumping into it with experience.

Thankfully, the truck was still driving slow but even at that, I would have still made it in, I scrambled further into the truck and hid behind the stack of crates of fresh vegetables.

I just have to be careful and quiet, one silly mistake and I could face a lifetime's consequence, I can't afford that. It was a long ride to the packhouse and I caught up on my sleep, waking up just in time as we entered the packhouse. As soon as the truck stopped, a mistake I should have avoided, I leaped out only to collide with a guard who chose that time to walk into my space.

His eyes narrowed on me as he took me in, his lips gradually twisting into a sneer.

“And who is caught sneaking into the packhouse? You were supposed to walk and not look for a free ride! We had suspected you and now you are caught!" He growled with a chuckle as he grabbed my arm too hard as I winced in pain.

But before I could utter a word in my defense, not like it would have worked, I was dragged all the way to the dark stone building at the extreme end of the packhouse. I knew it too well, it was the dungeon. But what was I doing here? Were they going to lock me when I had a lot of chores waiting for me?

I was thrown into the building as they locked the entrance door. The air in here was thick with musty dampness and there was this overpowering stench of mold and what have you.

“From this very door, clean to the end of the building. The cells are opened and you only have an hour before the inmate needs their cells back," the guard instructed me with a sneer look as he pulled out a rusty broom and tossed it at me.

“Maybe next time you will think twice about the rules that were laid down to you and simply obey!" He growled.

“But… sir… sir, this is the dungeon. What good is there in cleaning it? Why are you cleaning it?" I couldn't help but ask, in a whisper.

“Well, today I have decided to give the inmate a special treat as your pain is our pleasure. Now get to work with your mouth shut!" He replied, turning away immediately.

I stared at the grime coated floor that was thick with dirt and the walls smeared with dirt and even stains and this hadn't been cleaned for years. Ten? Twenty? I can't remember.

With my shoulders sagged, I got to work as I swallowed hard and fought back the tears that tried to break free. There was no use crying over spilled milk, right? This was something I have come to learn over and over again.

For someone at the bottom of the pack, I was their designated scapegoat that could be used for anything and I don't have the power or energy to die if I tried resisting a little bit.

I was given an hour but this was going to take more than an hour. I slowly lost track of time as I worked nonstop, scrubbing and brushing and dusting and sweeping particles, mold and dirt. Over the years I had slowly found joy while cleaning, that was the only time I was at peace and felt free in a way.

I was beginning to ache with exhaustion, having worked for so long, the growling in my stomach had gotten louder, hunger gnawed my insides but there was nothing I could do, other than to finish my work. As I finished the last spot, I was suddenly yanked out by the guard from earlier. He dragged me back to the packhouse where I was thrown to the ground in the presence of Alpha Talon himself.

Oh my goodness, what did they say I did? Just the sight of him made me curl further into the ground. He was tall and imposing with his ice cold blue eyes tearing into my skull, it held no compassion for me.

“And has she cleaned the dungeon perfectly?* He asked the guard as I fixed my eyes on the floor.

“Yes, she did!"

“What's that stinking name again? Did you successfully poison the ingredients? Was that the rule given to you? To come into the packhouse with the help of a vehicle?" He demanded with a sharp voice.

What! What ridiculous accusation is that?

"No, I… would never… dare… Alpha Talon! I didn't enter the… truck with a… bad intention, I just wanted to… get to the packhouse on time… for my duties and the… chores…” I cried out in a voice barely above a whisper after the guard kicked me by the side to respond.

“Oh, haven't I warned you never to lie to me?” He snarled in anger. "Did you freaking think we didn't see you? We know who you are or are we lying? You are just a scheming little omega with nothing and let me remind you again, you are here to serve the pack even at your detriments and I won't have you ruining our supplies, never!” He spat.

My heart sank, I clenched my hands together to hide their trembling, I couldn't bring myself to look at him. And if I care to defend myself or say anything, it could worsen things and I don't know what they have in store for me.

“Now, this is your punishment, for being disobedient and wild, for scheming against the packhouse, for ruining our supplies. Your three counts of domestic violations to the packhouse will be punished with you getting whipped, so Officer Steven assigns who will do that. Then you are to complete all the chores you ought to have done earlier and the new ones before you leave and lastly, you will trek back to the farm and bring in new supplies since you already contaminated the first batch,” he laid out in an unyielding tone.

My mind whirled and spun. What!

“I don't know how you want to do it but everything must be sorted out before you leave and tomorrow morning, you must be the first person here,” he added.

How was I going to do it? I knew I wouldn't be beaten softly, finish my chore then I have to walk all the way to the farm on the outskirts that is farther than my house, get new fresh ingredients and return back to the packhouse. How possible is this? Isn't it better if I am given the death sentence? Can I survive this? Especially when I haven't eaten in days.

“But… b… but Alpha Talon… I don't think… there is enough time for all these,” i managed to voice out as my voice trembled in fear.

“Then you learn how to run or face the unknown consequences of disobeying me again. Someone get this thing out of my sight," he ordered as he dismissed me.

I was dragged out by the guard who was handed a whip by the head of the maids. My heart plummeted before me as I braced myself like always. It wasn't something new.

Four manservants stepped outside, one being my crush, I was quickly carried by the four of them as the lashes descended and struck my back. I gritted my teeth as I felt the fresh whip tear my already bruised skin. I must not cry, it's a taboo for them to hear me cry so I bit down even sound and cried in silence, tears streaming down my face as my whole body felt the pain that coursed through me.

I was a haze of pain by the time I was over, my limbs suddenly felt like they were made out of lead. I just laid on the ground in tears and pain and when I could gather myself and move, I made my way to the chores that awaited me. The routine of cleaning, scrubbing, washing, dusting, folding and arranging took a toil in my already protesting body.

I stepped outside after I had finished and watched the sun sink low thereby casting a light shade of red and orange in the sky. Twilight. But I still had to go to the farm. I was so exhausted that my vision felt blurry, my heart was heavy with pain and hunger. My stomach had refused to stop growling and twisting painfully but everyone was deaf and blind to this.

Just then the head of the maids stepped out and sighted me, her twisted in anger.

“You ought to be on your way now, but good thing you are still around. Be fast and get the ingredients, we will be needing more than usual because tomorrow is the blood moon festival. You have to be up as early as possible to get everything prepared. You know how important this event is to the pack and the important Alphas that would be in attendance, so you can't be sluggish. Now move it," she informed me as I stumbled forward with a nod.

The rough ground dug into my already blistered soles as I made my way out of the packhouse. As I walked in silence and darkness around me save for the streetlights that brightened my way, my mind slowly drifted to the pack's festival I had to prepare.

I was always reminded of the day, a day I shared my birthday with. What is worth remembering anyways when I would always spend the day doing menial labor and starving. No one knew, no one cared and no one remembered. I felt a painful squeeze around my heart. The sky darkened as my vision got blurry with tears.

Tonight was going to be a night without sleep, food and even warmth and just preparation for tomorrow. I was still not halfway to the farm and it was already dark and empty. The streets were empty and deserted as everyone was home already, I looked at some windows that still had their light on. They were either eating, gisting, watching the television or just resting from the day's activities. I can't relate.

“Moon goddess, will I continue to live like this? Or will I die today?” I looked into the sky as I noticed the first star.

I gazed at the moon as I wished I compared my my life to the lifeless