-Elena-
The young woman who brought me fresh clothes was petite, with lively green eyes and a gentle face framed by flowing red hair. Her cheerful demeanor brought an unexpected calmness to me. After handing me the clothes and wishing me a good night, she quickly left the room.
She had given me clean black underwear and a long blue shirt that smelled distinctly of fresh lemons—a comforting, homely scent that I deeply inhaled. So much had transpired in just a single day, and exhaustion had taken its toll.
Though part of me wanted to collapse on the bed and weep, I found I lacked even the energy for that. Instead, I moved almost mechanically back to the bathroom and turned on the shower. Peeling off the wet, mud-stained clothes was painful, each movement a reminder of the day’s brutaliti
