I Don't Cower: The Only Exception

Don't Know

POV: Ashley

"Please just stop. I can't take much more." I weakly looked at the guy who was currently beating me for the third time today. Five days it's been. Five. I've gotten just enough water to stay alive. Taylor wants me hanging onto the little bit of string I've got before she cuts it in front of Demi. She's told me her plan, but until Demi rushes in and she gets overwhelmed and taken, I'm getting the shit beat out of me.

The only reply I got was a punch in the jaw.

"Better yet, kill me. Get it over with. I'm done with this bullshit. If you plan on killing me anyways, lets get it over with you slackers." I spat blood into his face.

He wiped his face and then slapped me with the same hand. Ew.

"That was gross." I cringed. "If you're going to beat me at least take me down from these chains. They're doing more damage than you are, no offense."

Again, I got slapped.

I groaned in annoyance and pain, and then I just kept my mouth shut. What's the point? Five days later and I'm still hanging onto the little bit of life I've got in me.

"Learn your lesson yet?" The guy mocked me.

"Pft no. I just don't want to talk to a man who has to make up for his tiny dick by beating women." I rolled my eyes.

"I don't have a tiny dick!" His voice got high pitched and defensive.

"Oooh, did I touch a nerve? I'm sorry." I gave him an obviously fake smile.

With that he dropped the chains, letting me fall to the floor, before walking out of the room.

"That's probably going to come back and bite me in the ass, but oh well. Maybe they'll actually kill me." I spoke to no one. "A hug would be really nice right now. Even if it was from a stranger. I just want a hug."

"Hey, I've got your daily water and today you get some crackers." An older woman came in with a glass of water and a small package of saltine crackers.

"I'll just take the water. I'm not hungry. I've surpassed that." I weakly reached out for the glass of water.

Instead the woman sat beside me and held it to my lips for me to drink. "You're too weak to hold this glass without dropping it."

The cold water hitting the back of my throat washed the blood down that has been sitting there. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." The woman gave me a warm smile. "You need to eat these crackers in order for you to stay alive."

"Not to be rude, but she's just going to kill me when Demi gets here anyways. What's the point?" I asked before she held the glass up to my lips again.

She didn't have an answer for me. "I'll leave them in here in case you change your mind."

I nodded, not wanting to argue. I didn't have the energy to.

The glass was empty all too soon.

"Damnit." I sighed when she set the empty glass on the ground beside me.

She frowned. "I'll see if I can get you some more tonight."

"I appreciate it, but they're not exactly wanting me to be comfortable. That's not why I'm here." I closed my eyes and tried to savor the cold feeling in my throat before it gets dry and hot again.

"It's worth a shot." She gave me a sad smile before getting up and leaving.

"Or you could just get me out of here if you're so worried about me. That's always an option." I rolled my eyes once the door shut and the lights cut out, leaving me in the complete and total darkness.