The most difficult week was the first one.Clara hardly got out of the cabin. Hunger gnawed at her chest—a persistent, twisting pain. At every sound, her muscles tensed. Every smell stoked her urge to hunt, sharpening her senses until she thought she might shatter.Ash brought her food. Raw meat at first, thinking that was what she needed. But Clara forced herself to cook it. To eat it with utensils. To maintain some semblance of humanity.It helped—if only a little. But the hunger was still there, just quieter—a beast caged, not slain. Sometimes she wondered if control meant anything or if she was simply fooling herself, delaying the inevitable slide.Marcus trained her every day. He demonstrated exercises and guided her, teaching Clara how to sense the power in her own body that might unintentionally break a bone. He showed her how even a simple movement could become dangerous if she wasn't watchful.On the fifth day, he said, "You are thinking too much," as he watched her try to fi
Last Updated : 2026-01-07 Read more