The Second

Chapter 11: Threats

The rotten stench of the sewers below drifted through the wet, dark cells in the bowels of the prison. Crisscrossing patterns of small wires on the tight, cramped cage served as the only lifeless view that Twilight had become accustomed to since Clara had left her and she was almost roasted alive by the fiery blast of Daiki's bomb.

Twilight longed for the days at their farm house again; the overwhelming aroma of freshly cut grass in her nostrils; the way the tall corn stalks felt on her thick, curly black coat as she ran through the acres of crops; the warmness of the sun beating down on her in the field; and, most of all, she missed the way she used to chase away the snakes and rabbits with Clara. Twilight missed it all. It had been almost a month since she was rescued by Ashley after the explosion. It had also been almost a month since she had seen the sunlight. This wasn't a rescue - it was a kidnapping.

Instead, Twilight had been kicked down to the dank prison cells of the strange place, and stuck in a tiny cage to rot. She was only brought tiny helpings of the blandest, cheapest dog food once a day. She was on the boarder of starvation constantly.

Twilight missed Clara's familiar scent. All the dog dreamed of as she sat out the following month of torment was being touched by a human. Fingers running through her fur or nails on her belly. However, Twilight wasn't completely alone. She always had the company of her other owner – Sharron Dane.

It wasn't the same. Twilight whined as she saw her once loved idol being chained up against the wall. Her face slowly became darker, the lines thicker, and the frown deeper with each passing day. Recently, Sharron had stopped talking to Twilight entirely. She stopped reassuring the dog that everything was going to be okay. Maybe she had given up hope in the end after Ozias had beaten out the last strands she'd been clinging to.

Twilight strained her ears and rubbed her dry nose against the wiry cage as she heard the echoes of faint footsteps. Barking ferociously as the large, steel door swung open, Ozias strode into the dimly lit room with a growl.

"Shut it, mutt," Ozias hissed as she kicked Twilight's cage. The dog whimpered and retreated as far back as she could, pressing her body against the back wall. Ozias paid little attention to the dog and turned her focus to the woman shackled to the wall, face still staring at the moss-covered bricks layering the floor.

"Look at me, Miss Dane," Ozias tormented as she placed her dangly fingers under Sharron's chin and wrenched her face upwards. Sharron couldn't help but stare directly into Ozias' tortured black eyes. In response Sharron spat into her face. Ozias relinquished her head and screamed angrily, swearing at the skinny remains of the once well-built woman. Ozias raised her hand and slapped Sharron across the face, her ring cutting a fresh gash along her cheek.

"Stand down, Ozias," Ashley bellowed as she emerged at the doorway.

"Yes Madame West," Ozias bowed respectfully. "You got lucky this time, worm, but Ashley won't be here to protect you all the time," Ozias snapped back quietly before retreating to Ashley's side.

"I apologize for any mistreating that Ozias might have caused you," Ashely apologized as she stood proudly. Ozias sneered behind her.

"Wh-why?" Sharron managed to utter through weak, raspy breaths.

"I know the conditions aren't ideal, but we can't take any risks. It won't be for long, I promise. We need to keep you here to make sure Clara returns to us."

"You leave my daughter out of this," Sharron's voice returned to her, filled with anger as her motherly instincts took over. "This is between you and me."

"This has nothing to do with you," Ashley laughed. "The only reason you are still here is because I need reassurance that Clara will return. When she does... well, your usefulness will have run its course." With that, Ashely turned and marched out of the room as Ozias scurried behind her.