my handcuffs felt like snakes, tightening around my wrists.

  i felt as if the dust was slowly invading my lungs, darkening the fresh air I had left in my body.

  i was never getting out of here.

  never.

  it was impossible...

  i had been here... forever it seemed.

  long enough to make my hair go past my thighs, and my legs to grow lanky and skinny.

  my lips felt like a desert, and my eyes tried to cry, but were completely out of tears.

  i ...

  i could hardly even remember my name.

  people called me fred...

  but that's the only bit I could really remember.

  it had just been that long.

  "darling. are you tired of this yet? are you ready to surrender?"

  a deep voice whisped through the crack in the door.

  i could feel his presence. the smell of death, but hinted with roses, and other things that brought a nostalgia to my brain.

  i had almost forgot why I was in here.

  Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

  "no... I'm not... I'm not going to b-be with you... you sack of deer shit...."

  "hmm~. what a shame~"

  the sultry voice hummed through the crack, that I longed to see past.

  "just let me go.. please...i...I'm done...."

  "no. you know there is only one way to get out of that smelly little room. and its one a single little word~"

  "..."

  my hands shook, making the chains clink together, as I stared down at my dirty grubby fingers.

  "please, I just want to go home..."

  "dearest. you have no home. you remember what I did, don't you ? or do you need another lesson-"

  "no! no.... no...."

  I struggled up, off the dirty floor, as a rat scurried in front of me, running from my movements.

  i would run away from me too.

  i was practically vibrating, my teeth chattered as I tried to speak.

  "y-y-your a m-monster...."

  "yes well, it isn't the first time i hear that, is it now darling?"

  i moved my curly brown hair out of my face, feeling my face become wet from sweat, and maybe, for once after so many times, tears.

  "please..."

  " darling, you only have to say a little word. just one. cant you do that for me? for yourself?"

  "....i....i..."

  i looked around at the moldy hay littering the stone floor, which was my bed at the time.

  "y....yes....."

  " SPLENDID! I'll send for someone to get you immediately. i myself have matters to attend to. but be a good girl please. would you do that? for me~"

  " shut u-up."

  i remembered those girls, all in a circle , playing with that silly board, and...

  and when i was alone the next week.

  and the next.

  and the next.

  my house didn't feel like home after that.

  i felt those blood red eyes pour into my soul , watching me, like a scientist to a small brown rat.

  i remember the feeling... like death was choking me with both hands, and long lanky skeletal fingers, that were as cold as frostbite.

  i remember seeing....him... everywhere i happened to turn, or every street i happened to cross.

  who could've thought that it was all because of that silly wooden board, a mirror, four gullible girls, and a man... a man who's passion was only to kill and bathe in the blood he gathered.

  if only i hadn't met those girls.

  if i hadn't let them come over, i wouldn't be here.

  people would still be living.

  my family would still be walking on earth, instead of flying in the clouds.

  maybe i would be in a better place too.

  maybe where they were at now...