Chapter 2
Hours have passed since that bastard locked me in this deserted cell, and right now I'm praying to the gods on my hands and knees that that arrogant prince will let me out soon because I don't know how much longer I can survive living in such a pig cottage. And if I didn't know better, I wouldn't have pissed him off earlier, but how was I supposed to know he could read minds? Maybe next time I should keep my mouth shut. I'd be safer that way because who knows if I'll meet someone just as bad or even worse than this arrogant prince… I mean, how can he lock up a lady in this filthy cell? This wasn't gentlemanly at all. Such good looks are wasted on a man like him. Sigh. I guess there's no helping it. I'll just have to make myself as comfortable as possible while I wait for him to come back. That is, if he ever comes back. If he doesn't, I have no idea what I'm going to do. Starve here? Rot away in this dirty hellhole?
And I don't even think that's the worst part. No, it isn't. The place is absolutely dark, riddled with insects, bugs, and who knows what else crawling around out there. I really don't want to be in this situation, I said, taking a deep breath, clutching my knees to my chest, and curling into a ball to make myself feel as small as possible. I didn't know what I was supposed to do, how I was going to get out, or who was going to come save me. Am I the damsel in distress in this story, or will I remain here forever?
I put my arms behind my head and did the best I could to find a comfortable position to sleep. It was difficult lying on a concrete stone-like floor, not to mention the dirt trails running along it. This is worse than the time I got locked in my closet as a form of punishment by my parents for stealing their money. And I know it may not seem very normal for a five-year-old child to sneak into their parents' room and take some cash, but at the time I was a really naughty kid. I did a lot of things… I can't help but wonder if this isn't my own damn fault for ending up like this. All my life I thought I was entitled to everything and that everyone should give me whatever they owned. And when they didn't, I took it.
SQUEAK!!!
A familiar sound echoed across the room, a tune I knew all too well. It was a… mouse!!!!
And I am deathly afraid of them. One of my biggest fears. I'd rather get held at gunpoint than sleep in the same room as a mouse. No way was I letting this slide.
I immediately sprang into action, jumping up and running across the cell while making as much noise as possible. I screamed. I banged on the cell bars. I climbed onto an empty crate to reach toward the window and yelled at the top of my lungs, but no one came.
It was me vs. a medium-sized rat.
And I would not lose.
I quickly looked around for any weapons I could use to defend myself. Maybe it sounds silly, or maybe I'm just too childish, but when you see an enemy standing in front of you, your first instinct is kill or be killed.
My gaze landed on the corner of the dungeon wall where I spotted something shiny reflecting back at me. I leaped over the rat and rolled before landing back on my feet. I reached for the shining object. I didn't care how big or small it was, because in life, no matter how small something seems, you can always turn it into a weapon. Anything can be used.
I grabbed it.
A needle.
Without hesitation, I hurled it at the rat. It scampered away at first, trying to retreat into its tiny hole, but I wouldn't let it escape. I scooped up dirt from the floor and flung it toward the hole, blocking it just enough. I didn't have time to think about how it worked. Right now, my goal was simple.
Exterminate the enemy in front of me.
"Hahhhh!!! I got you now, you little vermin!! There's no escape from me now. You're cornered, so prepare to meet your end," I said with the most determined yet terrified expression imaginable.
For the first time in my life, I was about to accomplish something I had never done before—conquer my fear.
My hands trembled, but I stepped forward. I stomped on the rat's tail with my foot and plunged the needle into its neck. I twisted it with all the strength I had left.
A sharp squeal filled the room.
Then silence.
Finally got rid of that pest.
If only I could do the same thing with the rest of my problems. But I guess I can't just walk away from them. I have to face them, or else they will never disappear. Oh well. I shouldn't talk about any sob story because I know no one would be interested in listening to me.
I just have to focus on surviving the rest of the night.
So I did.
I ended up sitting on the empty crate until morning when I heard birds chirping and felt the warmth of the rising sun begin to shine through the small opening above.
My eyes started to give out. My shoulders felt numb, and my breathing grew slower as exhaustion finally caught up to me. My body soon gave in to the strain of the fight and the fear I had pushed through.
And just like that, I passed out before I even noticed fading away in the night. This will surely be a story to remember: fighting with a rat, getting locked up, and framed as a spy. Who would've thought? i guess my story is far from over i just hope I won't meet anymore crazy people after tonight.