Trust me, you wouldn't want to know what takes place in that damned room. The screams that filter out late at night are enough to make your blood curdle. Every time we walk by it, I could've sworn that the walls groaned in protest.
That's why, when Leonard's shadow landed on us, I looked down right away. Never give him a reason.
We were paraded into the bathing area, a great empty field with burst pipes spurting weak jets of water. The stench was appalling—mildew, sweat, humiliation. And worst of all, they had us strip and wash ourselves in front of them like beasts.
I said no. God forbid that I ever allow them to best me.
That is why Amelia and I had found our secret retreat weeks previously—a battered corner behind a half-destroyed wall. We could slip away in the midst of the chaos of hundreds of slaves hurrying together.
"Aria, hurry up," Amelia spat, as we crouched in the damp crevice. Her skinny hands trembled as she washed with the filthy water from the pilfered bucket.
"I am rushing," I muttered, the crack in the wall the only vantage point from which I dared glance. The guards' boots crashed on the stone outside, their long, thin shadows darting around on the ground. "Just two more minutes before someone realizes we're missing."
Amelia's voice trembled. "Do you think they'll stop here?"
"No. They don't bother as long as we appear clean enough to work. Just finish—"
"I'm finished," she snapped, pulling her tattered shirt back over her shoulders.
"Good. Now let's—
But luck wasn't with us today.
"Hey! You two!"
A low, all-too-familiar roar thundered.
I tensed. My stomach fell.
Amelia caught my arm. "No, no, not him…"
Slowly, we turned around. And there he was—Lennon. The guard I hated the most. His eyes flashed with naughty glee.
"Stop right there," he growled, already grinning as if he'd won some award.
Heads turned everywhere. The other slaves stood motionless in mid-scrub, mid-shiver, water dripping from their skeletal bodies. Even Leonard himself, unforgiving, with his assistant in tow, turned to look.
The weight of a hundred eyes bore down on us.
"What's going on, Lennon?" Leonard's voice cracked through the air.
Lennon gestured toward us. "Caught them sneaking out of there, Master. They didn't bathe with the rest."
I balled up my fists, nails in the palms of my hands, but I did not glance upwards. Amelia's fingers wrapped around my sleeve, pleading silently for me to keep quiet.
Leonard's cane bapped the stone floor with a single, sharp rap. "Is that so?" He was practically chuckling. Then, unbroken, "Take them to punishment room."
My breath hung. Amelia's knees buckled beside me.
"Yes, Master." Lennon's grin stretched wider, cruel and ravenous.
Leonard walked away from us, not even taking the trouble to glance back. To him, we were not human. Livestock.
"Move," Lennon snarled, shoving us along.
Amelia lost her balance, and I caught her before she hit the floor.
"Don't touch her," Lennon warned.
"Then don't shove her," I snapped before I could stop myself.
His expression hardened, but instead of punching me, he smiled. "I'll enjoy watching you shatter."
Amelia tugged on me desperately. "Aria, please… don't."
I gritted my anger and remained still, my teeth clenched.
We were led through the compound's narrow corridors, the sound of clanking chains and muffled screams reverberating from other cells. With each step forward, my chest constricted. Before us lay the solid iron door of the punishment room, deeply scarred with scratches—telling signs that someone had attempted to batter their way out.
Amelia whispered shudderingly, "Aria… I can't… I can't do this."
I edged closer, whispering back passionately, "Hear me. No matter what they do, don't let them see you break. If you cry, if you beg—then they win. You understand?"
Her eyes welled up with tears, but she nodded. "I'm scared."
"I know. But we're together." I held her hand tightly. "Always together."
Lennon slammed his fist against the door. Inside, a guard opened it, and it creaked open with a screech of hinges. The stench of iron and rot filled the air.
"Very polite of you to wait," Lennon taunted, waving us in.
I jutted out my chin, my legs fighting not to tremble. I would not allow him the satisfaction of seeing me afraid.
Amelia and I stepped into the darkness. The door slammed shut behind us with a deafening crash, sealing our fate.