Chapter 29: A secret
Sarah’s eyes opened slowly as the morning sun crept through the heavy curtains. Her body felt like she had been hit by a truck. Every muscle ached, every bone felt stiff. The memories of yesterday crashed over her like cold water.
She sat up carefully in the big bed, wincing as her sore muscles protested. Her hair was a complete mess, sticking up in all directions. The maids had been so kind last night, helping her out of her dirty clothes and into this soft silk robe. The blue silk felt smooth against her skin, a contrast to the rough ropes that had bound her wrists just hours ago.
Sarah touched her wrists gently. There were still red marks there, but they were fading.
She yawned and stretched her arms above her head, trying to work out the stiffness. Then she moved to sit on the edge of the bed, her bare feet touching the cold marble floor.
Her mind drifted back to last night. The container. The fear. The other women. And then... Mason.
A small smile tugged at her lips as she remembered the moment Mason had appeared in that doorway. He had looked like something from a movie - powerful, dangerous, completely in control. The way he had held her, carried her, made her feel safe again.
"What if he hadn’t come?" she whispered to herself.
The thought made her shiver. She didn’t want to think about what might have happened if Mason hadn’t found her. If her father hadn’t told him where she was.
Sarah shook her head and stood up. She needed to stop thinking about the dark possibilities. Mason had come. She was safe. That was what mattered.
She walked to the bathroom and looked at herself in the mirror. Her face was pale, her eyes had dark circles under them. She looked tired and fragile.
Sarah turned on the water and splashed her face. The cold water felt good, helping her feel more awake. She brushed her teeth carefully, the minty taste washing away the stale fear from her mouth.