I Will Leave Before Dawn

Chapter 16: The one within

I opened my eyes.

I woke up to find myself surrounded by cold, iron bars. As I reached out to touch them, the harsh light spilled through, contrasting sharply with the dimness of my small, confined room. This room I was in resembled nothing more than a cramped square, like a dog's kennel.

My robes were in tatters, their threads unwinding, and my hair was a wild mess. I couldn't help but notice how small and fragile my hands appeared. After all, I was just a child.

Laughter erupted from beyond my cell. I realized then that my cell was situated within the heart of the kitchen. The sound of approaching footsteps reached my ears, prompting me to sit obediently.

They entered, these figures joining in what appeared to be a family gathering around the dining table. Their cheerful banter reverberated in the room, while I observed silently from my restricted point of view.

"Chang-er, here's your drink," my stepsister said as she poured it through the bars. I extended my tongue, eagerly swallowing the liquid. She lovingly patted my head, and in response, a warm smile graced my lips. My stepsister was so kind and gentle.

My stepmother, wearing an expression of mild disgust, placed my meal outside the cell. It fell upon me to fish out the spoon from within and proceed to consume my fill. It was quite a struggle, but one that I had grown accustomed to. She promptly left, her fingers pinching her nose. Why is that?

This monotonous routine had become my reality, my daily existence confined within these prison walls. It had been an eternity since I last stepped foot outside. After my mother's withdrawal, leaving me in the care of my father, my stepmother's arrival into our lives had altered everything. I often found myself yearning to witness the sky's vast expanse and feel the gentle caress of the wind upon my skin.

Yet, I reassured myself, they provided me with the sustenance and shelter. At least I had that. And so, like any other day, I resigned myself to sit obediently within my cell, awaiting dinner.

I woke up to the sound of my father's voice. "You're turning five years old today. Do you remember it well?"

I nodded happily, eager to go on an adventure. Father released me from my confinement. It had been such a long time since I stepped outside. The sky greeted me with its beautiful shade of blue, and the wind felt gentle as it brushed against my skin. The people around were so loud, but it didn't bother me. I smiled and followed my father as we walked through the town.

We entered a mansion, and I noticed it was a wealthy and well-built one. The owner must be rich, I thought to myself.

Suddenly, my father pushed me towards a man and said, "You're free to use him however you want. The price should be as agreed." The man seemed older than my father. I wondered if he was my father's friend.

The man's servant approached me and placed a red bracelet on my wrist, leading me to a different room. Meanwhile, my father left with a substantial amount of money. Confused, I asked the servant, "Where is my father going?" He replied, "Your father is just going somewhere far away." It made me sad, but I convinced myself that he would come back for me.

"This red bracelet is a gift from Lord Huang to you. Be delighted."

I nodded. This was the first gift that was ever given to me!

The room I was brought to was a stark contrast to the cell I was in before. It was filled with vibrant colors and tidiness. I was even given a bath, new robes and delicious food that tasted far better than what I used to. Moreover, I had the privilege of eating and drinking on my own freely!

The night fell. As I admired the flowers in a vase, the man my father had spoken to entered the room. I overheard the servant outside, questioning the man whose name I remembered as Lord Huang, "My lord, are you sure about this?" I couldn't help, but sneak a peek, noticing that the servant avoided eye contact with me. I began to wonder if I had done something wrong.