Chapter Thirty-Seven

I was harshly awoken by shouting and the screech of metal on metal. I jerked upright, scrambling off the cot when I heard the familiar jingle of keys outside the door.

“Hands on the wall!”

I bit my tongue, trudging over to plant my hands on the stone. I heard the door squeak open and it took all of my self control to remain still as the guard yanked my hands behind my back and shoved my face against the wall.

“You try an’ pull another stunt like ya did last time and they won’ even bother givin’ ya a trial—they’ll throw ya righ’ in the Cage,” he spat, locking the heavy chains around my wrists.

He hauled me out of the cell none too gently. He pulled me by my arm so roughly I stumbled repeatedly as we made our way through the prison.

The whines and moans of the other prisoners pierced my ears, making me bow my head and squeeze my eyes shut in a desperate attempt to block them out. I clenched my teeth together until my jaw hurt and dug my nails into my palms until I felt blood but it did n