Chapter 21: Gilded Cage

I'm led inside the bunkers where athletes once retreated after a game. There are showers, with hot running water. Cade, smirking and winking, leaves me to clean up, guarded by two trembling girls.

At least he has that much decency.

The dog remains with me, stretched out full length at the entrance to the open tiled room, his eyes locked on my watchers though they don't seem to notice him at all. I do my best to ignore them, inhaling the scent of flowers from the hard cake of soap. It's been only a few days since I was clean but it feels like forever.

Globs of matted hair run down the drain as I struggle with the knots. I have a flash of memory, my long, dark hair being brushed while a woman's voice hums low, a sweet song of love and longing. I blink away water mingling with my tears at the memory before jerking the valve off.