In Another's Skin

A Heart In Ember.

Warning Letter to Readers: Dear Readers, as you read our story, it's important to understand how being held captive for a long time can deeply affect someone. This letter will help you understand why the character might act in ways that seem harsh or confusing.

Misinterpreting Kindness: If someone has been isolated for a long time, they may have trouble trusting others, even if those people are being nice. The character might think that acts of kindness are just tricks or part of a hidden agenda. This is because their experience has made them very suspicious and afraid of being tricked again.

Fear and Anxiety: The fear and anxiety from captivity can lead someone to react defensively or aggressively, even when it's not needed. Their extreme stress and constant alertness make their responses seem out of proportion to what's happening. Their harsh behavior reflects their deep fear and difficulty adjusting to their new surroundings.

Emotional Overwhelm: After such a traumatic experience, the character may feel overwhelmed by emotions. This can lead to sudden outbursts or strong reactions that seem unpredictable. These reactions are a result of their inner turmoil and their struggle to adapt to a more supportive environment.

Understanding these factors will help you empathize with the character's behavior. Their harsh responses are a result of their trauma. We hope this helps you connect more deeply with their story.

Thank you for your understanding.
Sincerely,
Parkaaimin.

Chapter 36: (Aaira's pov)

As evening fell, the house settled into a tense quiet, the aftermath of the earlier confrontation still hanging somewhere in these walls. I carried a tray of food as I made my way towards the basement, where Y/n was still being kept. The clinking of the tray against the metal handle of the door echoed in the dimly lit hallway.

I opened the door cautiously, the faint light from the single candle above lot up my eyes. Y/n lay on the side bed, her gaze vacant and tired. Her eyes, once full of fiery resistance, now seemed heavy with resignation. I noticed that Soobin, was conspicuously absent still, i really wonder where he is now.

I approached her, setting the tray down on a nearby table. Her hands were still bound, her wrists chafed and red from the restraints. I could see the exhaustion etched into her features, her body language a stark contrast to the defiant spirit she had once shown. Her mouth was still gagged, and as I prepared to remove it, I took a deep breath.

Gently, I reached for the gag, my fingers brushing against the rough fabric. Y/n looked up at me. I worked carefully to unfasten it, as I pulled the gag away, her mouth was free, but her lips remained pressed into a thin line. There were no cries of anger or pleas for release.

Aaira: Here's your food. I'm sorry it's not much.

I set the tray in front of her. Her gaze fell to the tray, and she hesitated before reaching for the meal. I watched her closely, her hands trembling slightly as she picked up a piece of bread and took a small bite.

I knelt beside her, the cold stone floor pressing against my knees. Her injured leg, which had been so severely burned, was a source of ongoing concern. I reached out to tend to it, my fingers brushing against the rough bandages that had been hastily applied.

The burns had once been raw and inflamed, but they seemed to have healed somewhat. Still, the skin was discolored and delicate, a painful reminder of the cruelty she had endured. Carefully, I began to remove the old bandages. They had become soiled and needed changing.

Y/n winced slightly as I worked, but she remained silent, her eyes focused on the floor. The burns had started to heal, the skin no longer as angry and red as it once had been, but there were still signs of severe damage. The area was sensitive to the touch, and I handled it with the utmost gentleness.