I was moved to a new room, just as Michael said I would be. Now, I’m sitting on the edge of the bed, my hands gripping the sheets as I take in my surroundings. It’s warmer here, and less suffocating than the cold, damp cell I was trapped in before. There’s an actual bed with a blanket, a much larger window that lets in a sliver of light, and even a bathroom. It’s a world away from the darkness I was stuck in, but I know better than to take comfort in any of this. It’s just another cage, dressed up to look less cruel.
The door swings open, and Michael steps in, not giving me a moment to absorb the new space. His eyes sweep over the room before landing on me.
“I see you’ve settled in,” he says, his voice carrying a casual indifference. “Do you like it better here?”
I don’t answer, just st
