She couldn’t even take a modicum of comfort in the fact that, so far, after Jersey had been tossed back in the cell with them, the only person who’d been downstairs since Katelyn’s arrival was the lady of the house – no one knew her name, nor had they heard anyone allude to it. She’d descended the steps in a royal purple evening gown, a silk shawl trailing down her back like she was some kind of princess waiting for her prince to arrive and ordered them all to shower before disappearing upstairs again. No one had asked why; they’d just blindly obeyed. It was during that time the shuffling sounds of furniture began.

And since then, they’d waited. And waited some more. Each scraping sound, each grunt that traveled down the vents, each second of silence in between the sounds was excruciating, like fingernails on a chalkboard. At some point, the lady, still in her gown, had returned with their meal – a platter of fruit, various cheeses, and some type of bland cracker, along with uncapped bottles of water.

She’d unlocked the cell, set everything inside on the floor and then, after ensuring everyone had complied with her earlier command, left without a word, the metallic clang of the cell door slamming closed resonating through Rachel’s very bones.

‘Why are the bottles always uncapped?’ Even as it left her mouth, she knew this wasn’t the question that needed to be asked – not the discussion they should be having.

Apparently, Faye’s thoughts ran along the same lines because she snorted. ‘Uncapped water bottles – that’s what you’re most worried about right now? Not wondering what fresh new hell is being prepared for us?’

‘I tried to swallow the caps once.’ Cheyenne’s voice was rough and scratchy, like she had a severe case of laryngitis. One shoulder lifted in weak resignation, her gaze unwavering. ‘I thought I could choke to death on them. It damaged my throat. That pain couldn’t be worse than the pain from that.’ Her eyes lifted upward, and a sad laugh escaped. ‘I paid the price twice for that failure.’

Rachel realized that this was one of the first times she’d actually heard Cheyenne speak, and now she understood why.

‘I didn’t know about that, Cheyenne. Saying “I’m sorry” seems so – I don’t know, out of place considering our situation – but I am.’

Cheyenne released a steady breath but refused to make eye contact with anyone as her fingers toyed with the seam of the robe. ‘It was just after Meghan arrived – we were the only two here until you were brought in.’ She glanced briefly at Becca before once again looking away. Her voice was shaky as she added, ‘I don’t know how long I’d been here when Meghan came, but I remember being relieved I wasn’t alone.’ She wiped furiously at the tears streaming down her cheeks. ‘And then when I saw what they did to her that first time… that’s when I tried to swallow the bottle caps. I just couldn’t watch another person experience the same torture. I didn’t even think about the fact I’d be leaving her here all alone, like I had been.’