Chapter 5: Confession in Chains

The woman lay naked on the bed, an iron chain around her neck, her body covered in bruises. The sight hit me like a punch—her skin mottled with purple and blue, the iron links digging into her throat. The chain was padlocked to the bedpost. The room smelled of sweat and despair.

When she saw me, her eyes widened and she squirmed on the bed. She tried to cover herself with a scrap of blanket, but her movements were slow, every muscle tensed. Fear and hope mingled in her gaze.

“You said you’d help me find my sons. Have you found them?”

Her voice trembled, almost accusing, searching my face for truth or lies.

My fingers fumbled with the lock, slick with sweat. I kept my eyes averted, ashamed to look at her bruises. I bent close, my lips nearly brushing her ear. I glanced over my shoulder, making sure the hallway was empty.

“You said our family has your sons’ scent. Didn’t you notice Derek smells even more like them?”

I tried to keep my voice steady, but it came out hoarse. I squeezed my eyes shut, hating myself for what I was about to say.

At first, she looked confused. Then, as realization dawned, tears streamed down her face and her expression twisted with fury. It was as if her whole body went rigid, the shock plain in her eyes. Rage and grief collided, her lips curling in a silent wail. Her hands clenched into fists, nails digging into her palms.

Terrified, I backed away several steps, stammering: “I swear, it wasn’t me. My brother did it—my mom helped. I’m nobody in this house. I’m sorry, so sorry. Please, just don’t hurt me. I just wanna live.”

My voice cracked, and I felt the tears start to burn my own eyes. I raised my hands, palms out, pleading. The room felt smaller and darker by the second.

After saying this, I didn’t wait for her response—I fled the room as if my life depended on it. I slammed my door and shoved a chair under the knob, heart pounding so loud I thought it might wake the whole house. I curled under the covers, wishing the world would just swallow me up.