Chapter 14

The warrior is gone when I wake up, but the camp is still quiet. I should have asked his name. I have a feeling I’ll need all the allies I can get. I’m left alone to my thoughts for some time, listening to the camp slowly coming to life.

My morning goes much like yesterday—chained in a dark room, breakfast clean-up, scraps for me, and it’s back to the dark van. The day is warm, and the bodies are starting to smell. I wonder if I’m the only one that notices when Liza finally breaks the silence, “They stink.” I guess that answers that question. I hear her kick her foot at the tarp.

“Don’t be disrespectful,” Mary chimes. Liza mimics her in a mocking tone. I feel like I should apologize to them again, but would it matter? Would they just go quiet again? “Do you know who the warrior is with the hazel eyes? He’s younger, about your age? Dark shoulder-length hair?” I ask instead. “That’s Adam,” Liza answers. “You got him on your first night? Lucky. He’s a gentleman.” There’s a hint of jeal