🪝 CHAPTER ONE

The realization that I was going to die here only dawned on me when I tried to scream - but couldn't because my throat was too painful from the smoke I've been inhaling for several minutes now.

I pushed myself up from the floor but fell again as my knees were too weak to hold me up for more than two seconds.

There was no one coming to save me. This is my end, and I have brought it upon myself.

I deserve this…

I closed my eyes, hugging my knees against my chest as strands of tears slipped down my cheeks.

I deserve this.

My father's fade flashed in my mind.

Images of his throat bleeding - him falling and lying dead in the pool of his own blood.

Memories of the council members being killed one after the other in my presence - by the same man I had loved…

I shuddered.

I deserved this.

I deserved worse than this hell - so there's no point praying for salvation. It wouldn't come - better accept my fate.

I opened my eyes and looked around the cage I'd been locked up in.

I couldn't see anything beyond the thick cloud of smoke surrounding me.

This was my end.

༺༺♡♡༻༻

I woke up panting and sweating despite the cold breeze from the open windows.

Another one of these damned dreams.

They have been more consistent these past few weeks especially this particular one.

Being locked in a cage with chains around my wrists and ankles.

Smoke filling my lungs and chest -

Blood.

So much blood.

Each time it got more weird and only brought more questions in my mind.

/Could it be real?/

/Could it be a part of my life which I couldn't recall anymore?/

/What if it wasn't just s dream but a little part of the big puzzle missing in my life?/

I released a sigh and got up from the bed.

It was already past 6am and I needed to get started with my day.

Anytime from now, Madame Celine would be here to…

A loud knock on the door interrupted my thought and I groaned.

Speak of the devil…etcetera, etcetera.

I dragged myself to the door, then pasted a smiling smile that was as fake as they came - on my face before throwing it open to reveal Madame Celine.

My Nightmare.

"Good morning, Madame."

"It's already the eighteenth day of the month, Sasha." She said before I could get the last word out, her eyes scanning my face angrily, "Your rent was due five days ago."

"I'm so sorry, Madame. I had issues at work but…"

"I do not give a damn about your silly excuses you brat!" She spat, "your monthly pay of your debt is due in one week too. I do hope it won't come with excuses either."

I shook my head, "Of course not. I'll make sure to pay that on time."

She paused and looked at me from head to toe before shrugging.

"I'd suggest you start doing something more useful to clear your debts, Sasha. Because at this rate you will be stuck here for the rest of your life."

Oh have I thought about that countless times.

"I'll keep that in mind Madame."

"You better do that. And I'll have to warn you again - do not even think about doing something funny like trying to escape - because I'll haunt you down and kill you. Your place is here - until you finish paying every dime my husband spent on you! WHORE!!!"

I flinched at that last word but didn't bother to argue. I didn't dare to, because it would not end well.

I knew Madame Celine well enough to know that she was just looking for a fight right now.

And there's no way I was giving her that today. Nope.

I was very determined to enjoy the hell out of my day…nothing, not even Madame Celine would ruin that for me.

When I said nothing, she gave me another glare and turned away.

Phew!

I closed the door with a wince and proceeded to get ready for the day.

I didn't have much plans for the day - I had taken a break from work.

My only plan involved the cemetery to pay Beta Kaya's grave a visit.

18th of September.

Today makes it three years since I was found by the Riverside, almost dead.

Three years since I opened my eyes with no single memory of anything - who I was, where I came from, what happened to me.

I didn't even remember my own name.

But Beta Kaya had taken me in, saved my life and gave me a life - an identity.

Although it wasn't an easy thing to do with his wife's disapproval.

I took a deep breath, letting the fresh air flow into me, calming my nerves.

Everyday, I wonder - who on earth was I before Sasha?

What happened to me? Where did I come from?

Was there a family out there waiting for me? Thinking that I was dead?

A husband?

Kids?

A shudder wrecked through me and I shook my head.

One day I'd remember…one day it would all come together so there was no need to force it.

I finished getting dressed in my usual worn jeans and faded t-shirt, then headed to the kitchen to grab a quick breakfast before leaving for the cemetery.

But the moment I stepped into the hallway, Vivian's voice cut through the air like nails on a chalkboard.

"Sasha! There you are."

I turned to find both Vivian and Claire lounging in the living room, still in their silk pajamas despite it being well past nine in the morning.

"Good morning," I said cautiously, already knowing this wasn't going to end well.

"Clean this mess up," Vivian waved her manicured hand dismissively at the table. "And while you're at it, my bathroom needs scrubbing. The toilet's been acting up again."

"I also need my room vacuumed," Claire added without looking up from her phone. "And don't forget to wash my sheets. I spilled nail polish on them last night."

My stomach sank. "I was just about to—"

"About to what? Sit around being useless?" Vivian's laugh was sharp and mocking. "You live here for free, Sasha. The least you can do is earn your keep."

"I don't live here for free. I pay rent."

"Barely," Claire snorted. "And you're always late with it too."

I bit back my response, knowing it would only make things worse. These were the same chores I did every single day without complaint, but today they seemed determined to pile on extra work.

"The kitchen floor needs mopping too," Vivian continued, examining her reflection in her phone's camera. "And the windows in the dining room are filthy. When's the last time you cleaned those?"

"Two days ago," I muttered.

"Well, do them again. They look terrible."

I stood there for a moment, weighing my options. I could argue, but that would only lead to more work being heaped on me. Or worse, Madame Celine getting involved again.

"Fine," I said quietly. "I'll get started."

"Good girl," Claire said in a tone you'd use with a pet. "Oh, and make sure you use the good cleaning products this time. Not that cheap stuff you usually grab."

I nodded and headed to the supply closet, my heart sinking with each step. At this rate, I wouldn't make it to the cemetery until well past noon. The one day I'd actually looked forward to, the one day that meant something to me, and they were going to ruin it.

For the next three hours, I scrubbed, mopped, vacuumed, and cleaned until my hands were raw and my back ached. Every time I thought I was finished, one of them would find something else that needed attention.

By the time I finished everything on their ever-growing list, it was already past one in the afternoon. My body screamed in protest as I finally put the cleaning supplies away, exhaustion weighing down my limbs like lead.

I glanced at the clock, my chest tightening with disappointment. Half the day was already gone, and I still hadn't made it to Beta Kaya's grave. But at least now I was free to go.

I grabbed my small bag and headed for the door, desperate to escape before they found something else for me to do.

That's when I heard Madame Celine's voice calling my name from down the hall, and my blood ran cold.

Not now. Please, not now.