Page 98 of Cryptic Curse

One look in the mirror tells me the truth.My eyes are bloodshot.

I didn’t sleep.

Except that I did, off and on.But not enough to actually count.

If I hadn’t gotten that wonderful orgasm from Hawk, I probably wouldn’t have slept at all.

I run my brush through my hair, and then I step inside the shower, letting the warm water pelt me.

Hot water.

What a blessing.

I used to look for the blessings in little things back in Colombia to distract me from the horrors I endured nearly every night.

Hot water.How many people in the world don’t have it?

I may have been subject to rape and the occasional beating, but at least I had hot water.

Food.

We had a great chef, and I learned a lot from him.Even though I had to blow his giant smelly cock on occasion.And even though my father kept me on a strict diet during those years—I had to look perfect for his friends, after all—sometimes Chef would sneak me extra.When he was in a good mood, or when I’d given him particularly good head.

And even when he didn’t, I always had enough food to sustain me.

Food.

A blessing.

And now I have more than ever.

Clothing.

A blessing.

I didn’t always like the clothes my father picked out for me, but I had plenty of them, and when I wasn’t doing his bidding, I could dress how I liked.Comfortable sweats and sweatshirts.

Clothing.

A blessing.

And shelter.

Colombia had its share of homeless people, beggars on the streets.

But no matter what else happened in my life, I always had a roof over my head.When the weather was cold, I had heat.When the weather was warm, I had air-conditioning.

I had a built-in swimming pool for my use, as well.

Shelter.

A blessing.

And now I have this perfect little apartment in Vinnie’s house that he lets me use.

With plenty of food, plenty of hot water, plenty of clothing.

Such blessings.