*Ari's POV*
I didn't know how long it'd been. I tasted blood and dry air. I was so hungry, my stomach was eating off of itself. When it grumbled loudly, I squeezed my eyes shut to alleviate the pain. Not a single drop of water had touched my lips—I almost forgot its taste. I hadn't moved a muscle in days. I couldn't. My limbs were glued to the restraints, frozen solid, like they might get brittle and break any minute.
This didn't have to happen. I could've escaped. It swirled in my head repeatedly, the horrific moment Emerson had locked me up.
I was battling against a vigorous hold, Emerson's nails digging deeper into my wrists the more I suppressed. He threw his bedroom door open, unlocked the secret room, and jostled me through. I fell on my side, grunting as I got up
