The sun went down about an hour ago, and as I watch the night fall, I feel like I’ve been granted some kind of mercy. Maybe those gods care about us after all; or at least the ones who they know need it the most.

My stomach begins to growl as I close my eyes for a few seconds, then open them again. I’m getting better at not falling asleep for longer than twenty seconds. I never thought it would be possible, but when the world is upside down, I guess there are things that can be done.

I inhale deeply, then grimace as the pressure sinks against my chest.

I have to remember to stop doing that.

Although, I think that if I can divert the pain elsewhere, then perhaps my body will stop asking for food. I do my best to cry often, using my tears in place of water. My lips haven’t completely set yet and I take a few seconds every hour to press my tongue against them to keep them from closing forever.

I glance around the room as best as I can, unfamiliar with my surroundings. I have no idea where that damn devil child put me. I don’t think I’ve ever even been to this side of town before. The only thing I do know is that I’m too close to the perimeter.

I can hear them.

Gnashing their teeth, gnawing at bones and flesh. Pollyx has done an amazing job of keeping them where they belong, and I think they’re afraid of him.

Once upon a time, I was as well.

I thought he was going to leave with that buck and let me starve since I had decided that if I couldn’t get something different, then I’d go on hunger strike until I could. I wasn’t the brightest girl when he met me, and I think he saw that. I think that’s why he promised me he would protect me.

I followed him to his home, foolish enough to think he wouldn’t notice, but after he had finished dressing the buck and cooking the meat, he opened the back door I had been hiding at and invited me in.

He used to love me so much, I think sadly, as fresh tears roll down my hardening cheeks, but this time, it burns my eyes.

Fuck.

A moment of panic sets in when I realize that my body may not produce tears much longer. If only Polly’s heart still listened to mine, he’d know where to find me.

I refuse to let this be the end, though.

I can’t let Beverly have him.

Not ever.

I have to survive, and I have to tell him what she did to me—to his son. The one he so desperately wanted.

I take a deep breath and do my best not to let the pain of my chest closing in again bother me as I decide maybe it would be a good time to take a micro nap. Tomorrow, I’ll figure out a way to get out of this. Come hell or high water.