y

ken poop and feed. My hands are tied behind my back, and whip marks cover my body. They dumped

I don't. I'm pretend

rty. I fainted and woke up in pain several times during the torture. At the 35th lash, I thought I w

nscious was a good idea. Anto likes to see the look on my face

otsteps approach me, and I hasten to make my breathing

ust passed out," An

. I imagine I'm a pile of straw, a piece of turf, something inorga

cks me hard

S! A TURF

to's kick sends me rolling off the haystack

s through my chest.

tching me.

Anto say, "Looks like she

de away, and I hear th

bout two minutes, Anto returns. Seeing me sti

Making sure it's safe

ps onto the floor. My arms are numb from being tied up so long. My chest ach

straw. It stinks, but if I spend the night on the cold ground in

whimpering in pain. My stom

distrac

mping into my mouth. I picture kicking Luna out of the packhouse, hogging her 4k screen, and soaking in her hot tub. I imagine

eally roast chicken and l

uth. "Shh, don't

g for him to pu

I can't feel my hands

out on my forehead. I grit my teeth and say, "Be gentle. If

Syd softens his movements. He unties the ropes, picks me up, and cradles me. "I'm la

me small sips from a bottle. I can

and brings it to my mouth. I don't

the best thing

ably the only good thing my parents left me. I tell Syd to let go and start enjoying the roasted chicke

o. Soon, the omegas will be up and workin

ng face through the fence at the top of the wareh

have to live with it. I understand what he thinks about me. I know how he feels. I understand him. I suffer

He he

to me," I

blinks, d

my hands. "Don't hide it. I saw

t to me. "I was going to give it to you at dinner, but then I wanted to say happy birthday soon

with a moon carved from wood, rough and ha

ng at the night sky, so I thought you especi

eyes uncomfortably. "How did you

the still unpolished back of the c

, his expression as

I turn my head and smile at his a