*Ember*

The days dragged on in the suffocating confines of the breeder’s room. My spirit was fading like a dying ember. Weakness gnawed at me, and my body ached with every movement. The dim light of the day barely illuminated the corners of the room, casting elongated shadows that seemed to mirror my own sense of despair. How long had it been since Lukas last came in and forced me to use the last of my strength? I didn’t know. I couldn’t even count the days by how many ...