2
I open my eyes and suck a breath all at once, confused at the fact that I’m not drowning. For a moment, everything is blurry and off-white. There is no sound, no sense other than a vague warmth.
Then the world comes into focus all at once.
I’m lying in the same bed as I was the day I came to Columbia. I’m clean and dry. I’m wearing clean clothes, a see-through white nightgown of sorts.
My head hurts. A sharp, throbbing pain. And I feel like my ribs are bruised, inexplicably.
Moaning softly, I move my hand to my head. A soft clinking sound draws my attention. I look down to find the same golden cuff on my wrist as the day I arrived. The same chain made of finely wrought golden links is attached to it.
I yank at the chain, sitting up a little.
And then I see him, glowering at me fro
