One more...
My mind counted as I scratched another tally mark. They didn’t give me anything that could be considered dangerous, so I had to dig my nails into the wall to avoid losing track of time and to keep my sanity.
A lot changed over these seven days. My hair was a mess, there was dirt and clumps of nesting material everywhere. I used to be vain, I used to care for my nails with so much love; now they were broken, some down into the flesh, and there was dirt under them.
I’d lost a lot of weight from lack of food; in some places you could already see the outline of my bones.
I was unrecognizable. I curled up in the corner of the cell and hugged my knees, crying copiously.
I don’t know exactly when I fell asleep. But I woke to noises coming from the wall and murmured voices.
There was a small window just big enough for my hand to fit through; I dragged myself to it to try to find the source of the sound. I thought it was a rat and braced to kill it — that would have been my first meal in two days.
I looked out searching for the rodent, and my eyes lit up in surprise when I saw a rope hanging in front of the tiny opening and a girl descending on it. The girl had long brown hair tied in a ponytail, wore tight black pants and a tank top of the same color so she could blend into the darkness of the night.
Despite the pitch and the thin mist, squinting let me make out a little of the stranger. I recognized her almost immediately and smiled, unable to imagine how lucky I was that this was happening.
I stuck my head out as far as I could so she could see me and hear me when I said:
— I don’t think your father will like to know that his beloved daughter slipped out in the night. Will he, Princess Clarissa?
She jumped at the surprise and smiled, enchanted — the girl looked like a child who’d just been caught. The princess looked around, startled, trying to find the source of the voice; then she turned the lantern and found me staring fixedly at her. Clarissa started walking toward me and stopped a little over a meter from the window.
I realized she wouldn’t say anything. She was studying the situation to see what I would do since I’d caught her in the act. So I decided to take the first step.
— Since I caught you in the act, can I at least know where the princess was going?
She shifted her weight from one foot to the other, clearly uncomfortable with the situation, but soon assumed the pose of an heiress princess and the same cold gleam as her father crossed her face.
— I don’t think that’s any of your concern, witch.
I snorted in annoyance and rolled my eyes.
— Everyone calls me that as if “witch” were my name, — I say mockingly, — Nice to meet you, my name is Melanie.
I put my hand out as far as the chains allowed and was surprised when, hesitant though she was, she squeezed it.
— Well, I’m sorry if I offended you. But I have to go.
— You won’t tell me where you’re going?
— No, as I said before, that’s none of your business.
The princess turned her back and continued walking toward the forest. She clearly didn’t know where she was going, having changed direction about three times before deciding to grab a map. That made me give a low laugh before I decided to call her attention again.
— Aren’t you afraid I’ll turn you in?
The little princess turned to me and gave me a cynical smile.
— And who would believe you?
— Obviously no one. But that doesn’t mean I can’t make them believe.
She went as white as the moon and her eyes showed astonishment, but even then she didn’t lose her princely posture for a second. I imagined her face when she discovered it was only a bluff with no backing.
— Was that a threat, witch Melanie?
I smiled at her mockery when she said my name and bit my lip before answering:
— Maybe so, little princess. If you don’t want me to tell the king about your escape, I want you to find something for me. A piece of information, to be precise. See how charitable I am.
That seemed to catch her attention, since she came close enough for me to see the small freckles on her face. Clarissa reminded me of a child who wanted to see the world; her genuine curiosity was ridiculously adorable.
— What information?
The playful air left the scene and I furrowed my brow as I realized what I was doing. This girl was my last hope.
— About the attack on my village — it was on April 24. — I said after a moment of silence. — I want to know what happened to my family.
The princess was surprised; I don’t think she expected such a sentimental request. It clearly affected her, as her posture loosened a little and she allowed herself to lower her shoulders.
— What makes you think I’ll accept the proposal?
— You’re an only child; after your father dies you will be queen. But there’s a crack in that line of succession — you’re a woman. If you step out of line, I believe some distant cousin will be very pleased to take your place.
She bit her lips hard; I’m sure the only color on her face was the blood that ran when she opened her mouth. I watched her swallow hard as she thought about my offer.
— Fine. My father must have some document about it; he tends to document everything. If I find it, I’ll come here and give it to you, okay?
Anxiety flooded my veins and a little color returned to my face with the hope that at least someone might be alive.
— You have 24 hours. If that time passes, I’ll speak.
She nodded reluctantly and then ran into the forest. I watched Clarissa walk away and, after silence returned to reign, I crouched and ran my hand through my tangled hair.
— Please, little princess... — I say quietly to myself. — You are my only hope of finding out what happened to them.