CAUGHT IN

ARYA’S POV I had no idea how much time passed and I wasn’t sure I cared anymore. I knew Claire and Maria came, their gentle hands trying to coax me to eat but I couldn't respond. Every time I closed my eyes, I was back in that moment where Giovanni's hands were on me and the way he looked at me like I was nothing. I stopped feeling anything except the weight of my own body pressing against the cold stone. "She hasn't moved in two days," Claire's voice echoed through the fog in my head. "Not even to use the bathroom. Ma’am Maria, this isn't normal. We need to call a doctor." Maria sighed audibly. "And tell them what?" Her voice was strained with worry. "That the boss assaulted his prisoner and now she's catatonic? Mr. De Santis would never allow it." Claire grumbled back an incoherent response. "Arya, sweetheart." Maria's hand touched my shoulder. "Can you hear me? Please, just give us a sign that you're okay." I wasn't okay but I couldn’t say that. "We brought you food," Claire sai