On the floor, I lied. I was the hungriest I'd ever been in a while. I hadn't been able to fall asleep I was so uncomfortable.

He's supposed to feed me today...

Why am I so hungry this week?

I turned around to face the wall, snuggling up in my warm quilt. I couldn't tell you how many times I had done that on that night. All in hopes that I would fall asleep that time, but never did.

Then, the door was opened, followed by the blinding switch of the light. Without delay, I flipped back over, yanking the cozy blanket off my weakened body. I dared not complain or retaliate, for I wasn't sure how Lance would react and I certainly didn't want to be shoved back in that wretched basement.

Of course, Marcy shot out of bed without a moment's notice.

Does she even sleep? She couldn't have just awoken and flew out of bed like that. She heard him coming..

Feeling pressured by Marcy's intense hustle, I spring to my feet, too. Upon meeting my feet so fast I stumbled, struggling to keep my balance. I quickly recovered and awaited Lance's requests.

Though every fiber of my being screamed for me to, I couldn't bring myself to ask Lance for food. I wasn't allowed to talk back. I was so afraid that if I said anything other than "yessir," that he'd lash out at me. So, I just stared yearningly as safely as I could at him, only with the hope that he'd take pity on me and feed me before work so I wouldn't have to suffer so terribly.

As per usual, he greeted us. It was rare when he didn't.

"Rise and shine, guys."

Lance immediately locked eyes with me. He studied me. It was as if he was- checking to see if I were okay.

Suddenly fear stricken that I mat have angered him, I broke eye contact and stared at the ground.

"Sai, you don't look so hot." Lance started in an oddly compassionate tone. "Look at you! You can barely hold yourself up!"

His exclamation took me aback. I wasn't even sure he could display this sort of emotion until then.

Lance hurried over to me, firmly snatching my arm. "Here, let's wash up and feed."

For the first time since bowing my head, I lifted it in surprise to see Lance seemingly caring so much about my well being. It was as if Lance had a twin brother that had completely oppisite his personality. A month ago, he didn't even care if I died and my corpse rotted in that basement.

Is this a front of some sort?