Once again, silence enveloped the room.
Restless, Ariana paced back and forth.
The individual had only uttered a single sentence; Ariana was unsure if the man was truly the person she was thinking about.
What if it were merely someone with a similar voice? Taking action based on that might endanger her.
Anxious, Arianaâs mind battled conflicting notions, one asserting his identity, the other questioning it vehemently.
She then scanned the room again, se
arching for concealed surveillance devices.
Clearing her throat, Ariana began to mock and taunt Bennett aloud.
âCome on, Bennett, itching for a show? Well, release me if youâre brave enough.
â
âBennett, my captivity wonât last forever.
Iâll escape; mark my words!â
Despite Arianaâs numerous provocations and minor vandalism, there was no response from Bennett.
Ariana felt relieved, concluding that there likely werenât additional surveillance gadgets present.
Yet, that voice, that individual⦠Was that man truly Holden? How could she confirm this?
What if it was not him?
While grappling with her swirling thoughts, the sudden click of the door lock caught Arianaâs attention, drawing her gaze to the door.
Observing the knob turning, she hurriedly tipped over the bowl of milk for the puppy, causing dog food to scatter across the floor.
With her back turned to the door, she began gagging herself, attempting to vomit.
The door swung open, and Ariana vomited, expelling mostly stomach acid.
The door swung open, and two people came in.
One carried a blanket and food, while the other, visibly repulsed by the scene inside, pinched his nose and said, âDidnât we mention to get you food already? Were you so desperate that you snatched food from the dog?â
With a disdainful expression, he pushed his companion forward, instructing, âYou deal with this.
Iâve been summoned elsewhere; I must leave now.
â
With that, he departed in revulsion, leaving his companion remaining in the room.
Ariana, facing away from the door, could only hear it close abruptly.
She felt anxious, uncertain if the remaining person was Holden.
Initially, she had feigned vomiting, but the rations provided here, consisting of low-quality grains and wild vegetables, had been barely edible.
Due to the hierarchical food distribution and her status as a trainee âbeast slaveâ, Ariana had been limited to these meals.
Recently, her meals had become irregular, leading her from feigned sickness to actual vomiting.
Feeling the painful twist in her stomach, she lacked the strength to face whoever was present.
As she felt her knees were about to give way, a pair of hands provided support for her.
Ariana paused, enveloped instantly in a familiar aroma and comforting warmth.