Page 8 of In the Light of Day

A box of a hundred bars of soap sits under the kitchen sink. Well, now there are seventy-three bars, but it's a small luxury to have when you have nothing. The bed has sheets and blankets and we have the bags that came in here that first night. Once a month my uncle'sdelivery mandrops off supplies and other necessities that we might need. Any rubbish we make is stored in a locked cupboard with our supplies and at night I’m chained to the bed so my uncle can open the main door and remove the rubbish without fear of my escape. It also means I’m forced to sleep next to him.

Nothing else is allowed.

So I wait.

I am compliant.

I am snow.

One day there will be an opportunity to unleash myself and cause destruction, but until that time, I will exist in this space, this festering wound of a life, the perfect docile doll for my doting Uncle.

Chapter 4 - Nova

A white box sits on top of the supplies that were brought down earlier in the day. An unexpected early visit from thedelivery manwhich coincided with my birthday.

“Today is a milestone celebration for us sweetie. We’ve been together for five years and they have been even better than I could have expected. I know it was a little rough to start with but look at how far we've come,pet. I can watch you, touch you,take youwithout anyone getting between us.”Yeah, not even me you sick fuck.“I'm so happy with how far we’ve come and I know that the next five years will be even better because ... I have a special surprise for you. I've decided that it's time for us to start trying.”

Trying?

On days like today, when he has something to focus on, I know I'm going to have to interact with him but usually, I can go days or weeks without even speaking. I prefer to fade into the background while he sits and watches me throughout the day. If he leaves the bunker for any reason I'm chained to the bed until his return, no matter how long his absence.What on earth could he possibly want to start trying for?

And then it hits me, like a mudslide after a heavy rain, he wants to starttrying.

He wants a baby.

He wantsmybaby ... and there isnothingI can do about it. It's a miracle that nothing has happened yet but he has been vigilant in using condoms, reasoning that he didn't want to share me with anyone until he was ready. I never grasped that concept until now.

“No,” I gasp in horror.

“Come on now sweetie, don't be like that. Think about it. It will be something that we made. A product of all the love we have together, running around this place.”

He says the words as he spreads his arms out like he is the ruler of utopia. That the dark metal which surrounds us is a blessing. I can feel the bile creep up my throat and I know this can't go on. I will take my own life before I let him bring another one into this hell. Especially one that is innocent.

I am snow.

“I’m not ready, I need more time.”

I stutter the words out trying not to vomit with what he’s suggesting. Clenching my fists around nothing, my panic is brewing and I'm stuck in the same place I am every time this happens.

I'm locked in a bunker.

I have no weapons and can not overpower my captor.

I can not run, escape, or hide.

And now ...

And now he will force me to have his baby.

I AM SNOW.

“Don't frown sweetie. I ordered a special anniversary cake for us to celebrate,” he says, holding up the white box. Opening it, the box faces outwards and I can feel my head tilt in confusion because I don't understand. Is this a test or have my prayers finally been answered? Somehow, fate has stepped in and the series of events that led to this moment have all lined up perfectly, because there is no way this is an accident. As I stare down, into the open box while my Uncle looks at me, waiting for my reaction, I can't help the single tear that escapes as a smile forms on my face.

He ordered an anniversary cake.

A special box set that comes with an ornate silver knife.

For five years I have scoured this place for something,anything, to use as a weapon and each and every time I come up empty handed. But here and now, on my twenty third birthday, I have been granted an opportunity to cause havoc.

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