‘Don’t look up.'

She gulped the water down like a starving dog. It would be the first and last glass of the day. 

'Don’t look him in the eyes.'

Her master stood above her, his eyes glinting red under the dim lights of the cage. His boot twitched as if it was waiting for her to make the wrong move. She could smell the stench of brandy on his breath.

“You are weak.”

'I am weak.'

“You are nothing but a stupid girl. Who would ever want you?” Her master walked towards her food bowl and kicked it, the already rotten pieces of meat scattering on the floor. He made his way towards her.

She flinched.

'Don’t move. Don’t move. Don’t move.'

If she moved, she would get hit. If she looked up, she would die. 

That was the fate of girls born in this society.  

“You must realize how useless you are. The only thing you wenches are good for is to be at the beck and call of us men.”

'I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.'

“Now stay here and wait for my command. You can go die for all I care.” He walked away; the lock of the cage snapping shut behind him.

'I am weak.'

-x-

“Psst… hey… are you awake?” 

A voice reverberated through her cage. Her eyes widened; her master was about to be back. (She knew this because he always arrived like clockwork when light shone through the cracks in her wall.) 

Why was someone beside her master here?  

A figure in black stood in front of her cage, fingers gripping the metal bars tightly. 

“I’m going to get you out of here, okay. Don’t worry.” 

Her eyes widened and she shook her head from side to side. She couldn’t leave this cage; if she did, her master would–

“It’s okay. You’ll be safe with me. I know you feel like the only choice is for you to stay here but trust me, that is not how you’re supposed to live.”

She drew back in confusion. What was this figure trying to say?

“Look, your master may be a horrible human being and in our current world, no one is going to do anything about it, but I come from a place where men and women are equal.”

Her eyes widened again.

“Yeah, I know. It’s strange to think about, isn’t it? But that’s how it should be. We shouldn’t be judged for our gender.”

'I am weak.'

“I know that look. You are not weak, and to be honest, not all men are terrible people. Come with me and I can show you a world that is better than yours will ever be.”

'I am weak.'

“Even if you don’t trust me, please believe me. After all, I should know…”

The figure lifted her black hood; her long, black hair fell down her back and angry, red scars littered her neck.

“…I’ve been in your position before. I’ve been weak.”