THE FIRE WITHIN

Elena

The pain, the fear, the drug it all blurred around me like a heavy fog. But something deeper stirred. A pressure in my chest, hot and angry, begging to be released.

I couldn’t feel my lips. My legs were weak. The slave masters were laughing.

Then I heard her voice. Soft but firm.

“Fight back, Elena. Use it.”

My eyes fluttered open. Through my haze, I saw Head Maid Sarah standing a few steps away, partially hidden in the shadows. Her arms were crossed, her ...