Secrets | TMR | One

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Twenty-four minutes.

That is how long she has been stuck in this cage. With no light, or warmth.

Her only company has been that of a small pig - or what she presumes is a pig. The only way of knowing comes from the periodic squeals that have been coming from somewhere around her. She cannot pinpoint exactly where the noise is coming from, for the sound echoes and vibrates against the concrete walls on the other side of the grates.

The girl has fallen countless times since she entered this elevator. Over boxes, rags, even her own feet at one point. She can only presume that her arms and legs are now covered in scratches and grazes, what with her only being supplied a strappy top and a small pair of shorts to wear for her journey.

The motion sickness from the rough ascent, coupled in with the ghastly smell of animals and raw meat has caused the young girl to spend the majority of her time in the corner of the box. With her shoulders hunched over, her body expels every piece of food and liquid she has consumed in the last twenty-four hours. Vomit, mixed in with saliva, crawls up her throat before projecting out of her mouth in the most un-ladylike of manners.

''Shit'' the girl mumbles to herself, ''fucking disgusting.''

Pushing herself away from the corner, she squints her eyes into the darkness - as if doing this will somehow illuminate her surroundings. She takes small, timid steps with her arms outstretched in front of her, in the hopes that she can find something to wipe her mouth against, whilst avoiding another tumble.

Her hands land on a wooden box, situated - what she thinks - is just opposite of where she previously was. She feels down the box, blindly searching for a way to open it, when her hand falls in between two slats.

The girl gives no thought to how odd it is for a box to have gaps in it, like this one does. Instead, she forces her arm in the space, smiling slightly to herself as her hand lands on some fabric. Patting her palm around, she attempts to feel for a section that she can grab onto.

But her attempts turn out to be futile, as her fingers land on something wet. ''EW'' she shouts, trying to pull her arm back out of the box.

The sudden sound causes whatever is in the box to clamp its teeth down onto the girls hand. Acting out of instinct, she yanks her hand away, but not before the small beast manages to tear a chunk from the skin connecting her thumb to the rest of her fingers.

''Guess that's where the pig is'' she mutters angrily, before cradling her injured hand in the other and holding it close to her chest. A chorus of curse words then fly from her tongue, each word more foul than the last. She bounces gently on her heels, hoping that she can magically shake the pain away - but her attempts are futile.

Looking up, she squeezes her eyes shut and prays to whoever can hear her that she will be free of this small prison soon.

Just above the box, a small group of boys crowd around the opening, waiting patiently for the last bell to chime and the doors to unlock.

They chat amongst themselves, some of them passing wagers on how the new arrival will react, while others argue about who will be the unlucky one nominated to calm them down. But however much they squabble, every one of them can agree on one thing;

They are glad to finally have some fresh meat.

At last, the bell signals, and the lock clicks, causing all of them to cheer. A tall, lanky boy with sandy colour hair steps forward, jumping down onto the top of the box. Before opening the hatch, he turns to face the rest of the boys, a wide grin etched on his features before turning back around and bending down to grab the handle.