NIKITA

In a room where sunlight feared to tread, I sat. Collapsed into myself like a forgotten thing. The corner swallowed me whole.

Days meant nothing here. Hours lost their heartbeat. Time dripped slowly like a wound’s ooze. I didn’t count. I didn't care.

My clothes hung limp, stained with yesterday’s sweat. Hair tangled like dark vines overtaking a ruin. My mouth tasted stale – teeth unbrushed, words unspoken.

I reached for my phone, which I threw away hours ago, and ...