The Wolf

Ch. 18: My Circumstances

~Nico~
Warning! This chapter may contain some gruesome content, read at your own discretion.

Five days. No, has it been six? It's hard to tell time when you're in agonizing pain and stuck inside a dim shed. I attempt to keep track of the time by watching the sunset through the cracks in the ceiling.

My body is slowly giving up. They haven't fed me a single scrap of food all this time. All I've received is water, and that's not enough to help me replenish myself. My healing capabilities grow slower by the day, and they can't keep up with Jocelin.

Just thinking of the name Jocelin sends a wave of fear and hatred through me. She'll come into the room and talk and talk about herself, the camp, and how no one is coming to save me. Considering it's been this long, I can't help but believe her. Every couple of hours, after I've healed some, she'll return to the hut to begin the torture all over again.

At first, it started with simple carving. She would dig the knife into my flesh and cut it. Next she started flaying me. I don't think I have much skin left for her to peel off. There's blood everywhere. I'm terribly sticky from it.

After flaying, she started breaking bones. Starting with the left-hand pinky finger to the right-hand little finger. The pain is excruciating. Everything heals like brand new, leaving no scars or marks, but the healing process is slow.

I'm just glad that she hasn't cut off any limbs yet. Because, unfortunately, once a limb's cut off, it can't grow back. I hope she doesn't get bored of breaking bones and move onto chopping things off.

To escape the pain, I've been retreating into my mind. It's like I've become an expert on going into my head. It helps me conserve energy and heal faster. Plus, I get to talk to my wolf.

Noct was very upset about our situation. He kept making pointless threats. I told him to calm down and let's think of a way to escape. Some days I spend so long in my head, my reality becomes warped. Coming back to consciousness seems to be the nightmare.

Another beating just ensued moments ago and I'm slowly regaining consciousness. As I wake up, I hear voices murmuring to each other.

"You haven't gotten anything out of him yet?" The voice belonged to the male who brought me here.

"He keeps saying he doesn't know anything." This time is was Jocelin's voice.

"Well, we've captured a couple other members of his pack, and they sung like birds when you began the torturing. Maybe he really doesn't know anything. And Jocelin, I know you like to... hurt people, but you're going too far. We don't want him dead."

Jocelin chuckles, "I know my limits." A chill runs down my spine at her words. Did she keep pushing me to the edge on purpose?

"Also, whether we get new information or not, we're still going to attack the camp at the next Moon Run. That's when they're at their weakest." The guy says. I hear the door open and then the room is quiet.

They're going to attack the camp on the next Moon Run... I have to warn the others! Is what I'm thinking, but by the state of my body, it doesn't seem in any condition to escape. I tug at my hands. The cuffs aren't as tight as they used to be. I wonder if I got thinner.

My wrist and hands are still too big to fit through. Maybe if I got a little thinner... Or stronger, then I would be able to escape. There's got to be a better plan that doesn't involve wasting so much time.

Inside my head, Noct and I sit in a forest. Great pines tower over our heads and the sunlight dapples the pine needles with its golden rays. Noct is a big black wolf. He curls himself around me protectively.