Marie’s eyes fluttered open. Grey dawn light slipped through a tiny barred window high on the wall. Her head pounded sharp, heavy thuds against her skull. She couldn’t tell how long she’d slept. Hours? Days? Time felt slippery here.
She pushed up slowly . Flat foam mattress that barely held her weight. Back pressed against the rough concrete wall. Cold seeped through her torn wedding gown. The white silk, once bright, now streaked with dirt, blood, and ash.
Multicolored stains bloomed across the s like ugly flowers.
She blinked hard. Vision cleared a little.
Her eyes caught the figure sitting across from her, Tess. She sat on a low wooden stool. Head tilted back against the stained wall, heart thumping lightly. Eyes closed. A thick log of wood rested across her thighs.
Heavy black b
