She’s a young woman going about her day of activity. For a moment, a memory flutters through her mind about a man she once knew. He was charming and attentive. They had exchanged rings and said vows in front of family and friends. She had been so happy then.
She imagines stepping aboard the ship where they spent their honeymoon, preparing to sail away in search of the sunset. Closing her eyes, she can hear seagulls, feel sun on her face, smell salt in the air, and feel his arms holding her. These pretend moments usually make her feel more despondent, yet she tries to hang on to it, and fails. He is gone now.
She has a vague sense of being
filthy and grimy, but she isn’t too concerned about it. She sees a shape in the
corner by the door. It looks like a carrot. Interested she moves from the edge
of the darkened room, toward the corner. Sometimes there is a trick hidden in
little finds like this, and she does her best to be cautious, but a carrot
would be a wonderful treat and it makes her eager. It’s easier to move around quietly
now than it had been for her at first and she makes no sound as her bare feet
move over the packed earth toward her potential prize.
A crow makes a noise outside and she
spies it, as she stands on tiptoe, through the small window. It is sitting in
its usual place on the fence where it will remain for a time, she knows, before
flying away looking for grander adventure; it’s a regular visitor. She’s
looking back to the corner for the prospective delicacy when a door slams above
and she explodes from her trance, jolted into action.
Eclipsed by a tide of anger
and terror, her interest in treats flee her thoughts. She runs to the far side
of the room, crouches, tiger-like, and hugs her knees to her chest. This might be
her chance. Any moment now the cage door will open.