I wanted to let out a sigh, but for Iris’s sake, I held it in. The poor, delicate girl didn’t need anything else to stress her out. Though with her power, I’m sure she could already sense how I felt about the situation.
“The longer she sleeps, the better,” I replied, crossing my arms and looking at the sleeping girl with a scowl.
Why another one?
At that point, it was more and more undeniable that the demons who had taken us were likely farming us. After we’d been forced into this small room, we had yet to meet another girl. We had first been put in a large communal area with about twenty beds, and there had been others. Then they started picking them, taking them one by one, slowly dwindling our numbers until Iris and myself were the only ones left.
But what I hadn’t figured out just yet waswhythey left the two of us. And why we had changed rooms.
Maybe it has something to do with our powers? Or maybe our end is getting closer and closer.
I pushed away the last thought. I didn’t want to think about my own death anymore.
I knew all of us had powers, but some were stronger. Apparently, Iris’s and mine were pretty obvious—or more important—ones, while others could just change an eye color for a few seconds or make their voices echo.
Nothing substantial. But if we were grouped by level… The girl sleeping in the bed likely had something strong inside her.
“But maybe we can think of a way to escap?—“
“You know that’s not an option,” I hissed, giving her a look. I felt bad immediately as her face paled. “Just let her be blissfully unaware of our situation. I’d join her if I could.” I added the last bit in a softer tone.
Iris was a sweet girl, more often than not fearful of our situation. Understandable. I was scared as fuck every time those doors opened.
But escaping wasn’t an option. Something I had told her time and time again. Yet since we’d been stuck in this room, she had become more adamant about escaping.
The room was misleading. The walls were draped in beautiful, shiny tapestries, with floor rugs made from a similar material. Above our heads was a large, extravagant chandelier. For human traffickers, the demons had expensive tastes.
It reminded me of a prisoner’s last meal. A courtesy before we were offed. Or sold. Or eaten, which is what I assumed demons wanted us for.
I had heard some of the guards joking about it before. Saying how delicious our fear smelled. How it made the meat taste better.
Since then, I’d been trying to reel in my fear. At least it was something I could still control.
“What if they come?—“
The new girl groaned and pushed herself up from the bed.Finally, someone to save me from this conversation.I was doneplaying the what-if game. If that was what Iris wanted to do, good for her, but I didn’t want my possible imminent death taking up any more space in my mind than it had.
“I’m awake, Jesus H. Chri?—“
She went silent when she saw us staring at her.I don’t blame you, girl. I was weirded out too when I woke up in a random place with strangers staring at me. She took in everything from our matching slips to the high beds and the expensive drapery before her eyes wandered back to us.
When I first came to, I thought it was a cult. All the girls dressed the same, with the same beds and the same fearful expressions. Until I remembered the weird, winged demon that had knocked me out.
Still have to get her back for that one.Hopefully I could get a punch in before my death.
I internally cringed at the thought of my own death,again.
“Are you okay?” Iris asked hesitantly.
“I’m… as good as I could be after getting kidnapped.”
I threw my head back, unable to contain my laugh. It had been a while since I allowed myself to laugh. I wiped the tears from my eyes and gave the new girl a smirk.
Finally! Someone with some sense! How refreshing!
“At least your brain’s working,” I said, then nudged Iris with my elbow. “This is Iris. I’m Eve. There are a few other girls, but it’s been a while since we’ve seen them. I assume they’re dead.”
“Eve!” Iris hissed.
