Chapter 1
The stench lingered in the air and nothing could ever be done to ever take away that smell. A mix that was salty from sweat, sweet metallic from blood and a sting in the nose from corpses rotting in that small dank cellar.
I laughed; whimpered laughs, just to keep myself sane. Why should I bother about the smell? I’ve been in here too long to even notice it much anymore. My nose has adjusted to it, or was it because my nose isn’t functioning at all.
My head hung down, feeling like it will fall off anytime. I did not have the strength anymore to lift it up. Shallow breathes were all I could take as the task of breathing was also a strain. I wondered, wondered how long would I be here before the devil took me. Why has he not taken me by now? Hot liquid seeped down my arm, blood; the chains holding me by the wrist are cutting in deeper now.
I gasp. Someone is coming; I knew that before the clinking of keys sounded in my ear. I closed my eyes, pretending to be unconscious. But that wouldn’t matter anyway. They would just splash water at me to wake me up or use any means to get me awake. And it is not any ordinary sweet good morning call.
The lock clicked open. They come in everyday for the same reason. But why me I have no clue. They keep asking me for answers I do not know myself; where are my sisters, where is my home, are there anyone else like me. “I don’t know”, I keep telling them. I scream both inwardly and out, for the pain and the frustration. Only God knows! How can I tell them where my sisters are when I do not even know I still have family?
A wave of air came through the door as it creaked open. Something feels odd. Why don’t I feel the same pain every time the door opens? I have this knowing of what will happen, just the sense of it. And I see not any pain or torture. Instead I felt a hand pushing my hair behind my ear and kissing me on the forehead. What? Are they trying a new tactic to get me to talk?
“Princess, please wake up. We need to go now” whispered the person in front of me. Afraid it might be a trick, I played dead until I felt the clasp fall away from my hand and I fell. I opened my eyes wide and began to struggle in the arms of my captor. Just when I was about to scream, he covered my mouth with his hand to shush me. I shut up because I knew it was the best thing to do right this moment.
“My apologies princess, but I have to cover your head. It is time to finally get out of here.” He said while giving me a soft smile and bowed his head to me. Not doing anything I allowed him to do as he said he would.
He shifted me into a fireman’s carry and walked; out I presume. And it was then I knew my nose was just numb. There was a new smell in the air. No more death, no more blood, it is the smell of freedom.
