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Standing, I walked towards the window, chain dragging behind me. The sound it made was like the soft jingle of an ice cream truck bell. The links chimed against each other, cementing in my head how trapped I still was.

Pushing back the curtain, I leaned against the wall and stared out into an endless sea of trees. He was right, there wasn't a thing for miles. I couldn't see this image in the dark, but now I could see the forest was just as good as fucking walls.

Clearing his throat, Dante stood in the doorway. “I need to go out for a bit. I'll be back later.”

“Wait, what? Where are you going?”

“Out.”

“Don't leave me here like this.” Shaking my foot, the chain danced like a ribbon in the air.

“You'll be fine. It's long enough to reach the bathroom, and you can finish what's on that plate if you get hungry. If you get thirsty, drink from the sink.” The door quickly slammed shut, and the lock clicked into place.

My chest began to heave, the air thinning and getting harder to force down.

Where is he going?

How long am I going to be here before he gives me back?

I can't go back . . . I won't go back.

Gripping my chest, I tried to calm myself down. But it was happening, and this time I couldn't stop it.

A heaviness settled in my lungs as I struggled to breathe. Collapsing to the floor, my hands tugged at the dress.

The numbers started to fill my head, and I tried . . . Fuck did I try.

But it wasn't working.

Clawing at my neck, I could hear the wheeze as I tried to take in air. My throat was closing, my ribs were on fire, and everything around me was growing hazy.

Let this be it.

Let this be how I go.

Natural.