Nobody noticed the dark circles beneath her eyes.
Nobody noticed the way her hands trembled.
Nobody noticed anything at all.
The world continued as though nothing had happened.
The older slaves dressed.
The younger slaves yawned.
The overseers shouted.
Another day had begun.
Just another day.
Elara hated them for it.
Not because they had done anything wrong.
But because they could still function.
Still breathe.
Still move.
While she felt as though something inside her had shattered.
The morning passed in a blur.
She scrubbed floors.
Carried water.
Cleaned dishes.
Performed every task she was given.
Yet she remembered none of it.
Her body moved.
Her mind remained elsewhere.
Several times she caught herself staring into nothing.
Several times overseers shouted at her
