RUBY

I'm counting the days, as if waiting for my death. It's been three months, and Horton has locked me in a villa, but I don't recognize this place, or even this city. I often hear the maid's voice outside, saying the third floor is off-limits.

The windows are always tightly closed in this room, and I no longer see the sun outside, so I can't tell day from night in this enclosed space.

"Damn," I gasped when I heard the doorknob turn and someone open it.

The room smelled musty. I curled up on ...