Chapter One: Caged

"Just breathe. My mind calmed and I rubbed my thumb over the small scar on my wrist. It was getting better, less visible. But I was still self conscious of the marks my manacles left behind. They reminded me of who I needed to be. Someone strong and brave. But they also revealed my weakness.

I, Elodie Beffer, was vulnerable. I was not invincible. I could be hurt and scarred. Captured. Tortured. I could die, and I would. In fact, with my previous reckless behavior, it'd probably be sooner than later.

But death didn't scare me. There are other things in this world that are far worse than death."