"Hey, freak! Catch!

A crusty piece of chewed bread fell through the rusted bars onto the cold concrete next to me. I grabbed the crusty, chewed bread that landed on the cold concrete next to me. Bianca watched me like a circus animal, laughing from the small opening above. The basement reverberated with her voice.

Actually, my dog eats that! It seems to fit you, doesn't it?

Before my brain could object, my mouth started to water. I pushed it into my mouth despite the mold sticking to the crust. Despite the terrible taste, it satisfied the raging void in my stomach. I hadn't eaten since they gave me a half-glass of water yesterday. All morning, my stomach had been churning and vomiting acid.

One of Bianca's friends muttered, "She really ate it," and then let out a cackle.

Above the grate, I heard footsteps shuffle. Apparently, one of them took out their phone.

Hey, look at this! She eats indiscriminately. Bark for us, mutt!

They all gave a hearty laugh. I continued to chew, though.

Allow them to chuckle.

Let them dispose of the trash.

Allow them to treat me like trash.

All I had to do was live.

Clara dragged her words as though she were announcing royalty when she said, "I heard the alpha prince is coming over for dinner tonight." He is choosing a bride. Except for you, every eligible girl in the pack will be present.

I knew, of course. Just before she slammed the door in my face yesterday, my stepmother, Giulia, made sure to let me know. I could still hear her say, "My Bianca will be selected." Don't ruin it; just stay down here.

I pressed myself closer to the wall and chewed more slowly.

I muttered, "It's fine," but it wasn't. In ways unrelated to hunger, my stomach twisted.

Clara laughed and remarked, "You're not missing anything." "Anyway, he wouldn't choose a creature like you."

"Yeah, he would faint from the smell alone," added another girl.

I didn't answer. It had been weeks since I'd taken a bath. I wasn't certain. My clothes, which were filthy and stiff from dried sweat and other things, adhered to my skin. I smelled. I was aware of that. However, they didn't dislike me for it.

My mother passed away. From the moment she died while giving birth to me, I became a walking curse.

Something warm and slimy landed on my shoulder as a wet splack sound reverberated. Slowly, I turned. As though it were a joke, one of the girls had thrown up and thrown it at me.

"All right, mutt!" More dinner!"

They began to chant.

Consume it! Consume it!

I remained motionless.

"Are you simply stupid or deaf?" Bianca shouted. "Suck it!"

I sat motionless. The bile-soaked mess had stuck to my hair. I tightened my throat. My body craved food, but not that kind of food.

Clara chuckled and remarked, "I guess she's not that hungry after all."

Once more, Bianca's voice broke. "Give me the key." I'm going to fall.

Above me, the door creaked open. The ladder clunked with heavy steps. I didn't have to look. I recognized that storm, that weight, and that voice.

When she swiftly seized my hair, I thought she had severely injured my scalp. My cheek struck the filthy floor with considerable force. My cheek hit the dirty floor hard.

She growled, "You think you can ignore me?"

She pushed my face in the direction of the vomit.

Consume it. Or I'll make you regret it.

I muttered, "No..."

She pushed my head closer. Her nails dug in as I wriggled, trying to get away.

I coughed.

"Livia, eat it! You are nothing compared to me, the pack princess! You're worthless! You have the same value as a piece of trash.

I lost my balance after another yank and fell face-first into the muck.

Hot, quick tears poured out, but I said nothing.

Bianca spat, "You're lucky I even look at you."

I remained motionless. I held my breath. My ears echoed with the volume of my heartbeat.

A shriek followed.

"Yuck! She hit me! She threw it at me.

"What happened now?!" With wide eyes, Giulia hurried in.

Shaking as if she had been stabbed, Bianca pointed down at me.

She spat on me! Look at what she did!

"No, I didn't!" My voice broke. "I didn't—"

Slap!

My face hurt. Giulia took hold of my arm and pulled me to my feet.

"You dirty little rat! You dare!

The sound of footsteps thundered in. The voice belonged to a man who was filled with anger.

"What's happening?"

"Dad!" Bianca sobbed dramatically as she ran into his arms. "She assaulted me! All I wanted to do was feed her!

"That is untrue!" I let out a gasp. "I…."

As usual, Giulia brushed my father's arm and whispered sweetly into his ear, "She's lying again."

He didn't give me a glance.

He whispered, "Give me the whip."

My body became immobile. Cold sweat ran down my back. No. Never again.

"Please, Dad—"

Crack!

My knees buckled under the first blow. I passed out. My back ached.

He received one more lash. Then another.

He growled, "You know why no one loves you?" "It's because you are a mistake! You shouldn't have been born."

More suffering. My throat tightened with breath.

"I apologize," I muttered.

"Tell her!" He yelled. "Tell your sister!"

"I apologize, Bianca." I crawled to her feet, the copper taste of blood in my mouth, my lips brushing the floor.

"I forgive you, Livia," she said in a whisper while grinning sweetly and kneeling.

Giulia rubbed her daughter's hair. "What a sweet girl."

It hurt my eyes. Would anyone ever stroke my hair like that?

With a whip in his hand, my father reached down.

"She hasn't learned yet."

The words came out even though I was barely able to move.

"D-Dad... It's my birthday today. I kindly request your indulgence for today.

His face contorted.

"You want me to commemorate the day you killed your mother? What?

The whip descended once more. The whip continued to descend. This time, I didn't scream. I didn't mean to make him happy.

He dropped the whip and left after what seemed like an eternity.

"Livia, I hope you gained some knowledge."

I remained sprawled on the ground, soaking the dirt with my blood.

There was silence in the room.

Nobody returned.

The purpose is not to feed me, not to clean me, and not even to make fun of me.

I wrapped my arms around my belly, alone in the dark.

Simply allow someone to arrive. Anyone?

Remove me. Please save me. Please.