Page 14 of Lost Petal

I remain in my cowered position with my back pressed against the cold stony wall, fixing my gown, as I feel weirdly exposed in front of her. Even if she’s a prisoner just like me, she has the advantage of being properly dressed, placing her higher up in the hierarchy, if there is such a thing down here.

“Who are you?”

My voice is hoarse and croaks like that of a heavy smoker. I didn’t even realize how much my throat is still hurting from all the screaming his punishment evoked earlier. I try to clear my throat, grimacing under the pain it causes.

The girl steps closer, placing the tray on the leather bench so I can see what’s on it. There’s a plate covered with a shallow lid, and a small bottle of water next to it.

I can’t help but lick my lips at the sight of it. I’m so thirsty. But I’m afraid to move. I’m afraid this is just another cruel trick being played on me. Will she beat me too, if I try to fetch the water? Will she tell on me? Will she call for him as soon as I dare to move? My eyes dart back and forth between the tray and her, silently asking questions.

And she just stands there, staring back at me with that same horrified expression she’s carried ever since she stepped inside. It almost seems like she’s more afraid of me than I’m of her.

That doesn’t make any sense.

“Who are you?” I repeat my earlier question. “Is he keeping you captive, too? Why won’t you talk to—”

My voice breaks and I’m interrupted by a sudden coughing fit, bringing tears to my eyes as the pain in my throat is almost unbearable.

The girl reacts by reaching for the water bottle on the tray and hurrying over to me, kneeling as she hands out the bottle toward me. We’re almost on eye level, and despite the friendly smile that now graces her face, I still don’t dare trust her. I reach forward, my hand stopping midair as I cast her a wary look.

She nods encouragingly, jutting the bottle closer to me. While my overly cautious behavior toward her feels somewhat silly, I still deem it right to be on alert, ripping the bottle out of her hand in one swift move and distancing myself as much as I can before I remove the cap and take a big swig from it, my eyes never leaving her.

The water is cold, but not too cold, soothing my tortured throat without sending shivers through my body. I empty half of it in one pull before I come back for air.

“Thank you.”

A little water, that was all it needed for my voice to return to its normal strength. If only it were that easy with everything else.

I startle at her movement when she gets back up on her feet, again towering above me, despite her short frame. There’s still a hint of a smile on her face, but it’s overshadowed by tense worry as she looks down on me. She sighs, closing her dark eyes seemingly in defeat, before she turns on her heels, her back facing me as she makes her way to the door.

“No!” I call after her, hastily gathering myself back up on my feet. “Please, talk to me! Tell me who you are!”

Her hand is already resting on the doorknob when she freezes mid-motion, still with her back turned to me. Her shoulders sink as she lets out a faint sigh.

I should go after her. She’s so much smaller than me; what harm could she do? I shouldn’t let her get away like this. I need to say something, do something to stop her.

It should be so easy.

But for some reason, it isn’t. Something is stopping me, gluing me to the concrete wall, forcing me to watch passively as the girl takes an audible breath, turns the doorknob, and quickly scurries through the door without another glance at me.

However, I’m sure I heard something before the lock closed from the outside.

She didn’t look back, she didn’t say a word.

But the girl was sobbing when she fled my cell.

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