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I wish I knew how to count hours because then I would know how long I’ve been all alone, and also how long since the last time I had a visit. I love visits most of all. They remind me of the fun before-time when I pretended to be a normal girl and had all the things normal girls have. Before we had to run and hide from the bad people, never stopping, always moving until I felt so tired.

Before all the blood.

No.

I can’t think about that. I will be too sad and I’m already sad enough with nobody here. I play with all my treasures, put them back, play again, put them back. I eat what food was left for me. I don’t like it but it’s important to only eat things that haven’t been tampered with or poisoned by the people who want to take us away. My belly still wants more. I fall asleep thinking about protein bars.

One day you’ll have all the protein bars and food and special treats that you could ever want.

I hear her voice in a dream. She was the one who told me about promises. When I wake up, I think about all the promises she made, but then the whisper comes back.

Whose blood?

By the time I hear the noises that mean he’s back, I almost can’t wait to see him. I run to greet him but when I get there, my feet get frozen to the ground. I don’t understand what’s happening.

“Not now,” he snaps.

But I can’t help the question that falls out of my mouth. “What did you do this time?”