The floor was cold and harsh against her bare skin. Her limbs felt stiff as she began to move, stretching out slowly. The more she stirred from her sleep, the more her body ached. Her mind was still muddled and fatigued as she pulled herself up from the floor.
She let her eyes gradually adjust to the dim light as she drew herself onto all fours. She crawled forward towards the light of a doorway, her mind still foggy in sleep. Until she felt a tug on her neck, a hard, cold pull that kept her from continuing. Instinctively her hands snapped to her throat, finding a thick metal band. A collar, an inch wide, clasped tightly around her neck.
She turned on her knees, facing the direction she crawled from. A heavy linked chain clicked as she moved. Her eyes following the length that ran from her neck to a fixture on the wall. She was locked into place and stowed away. She was a…
“Slave” Her voice cracked as she spoke. But the word didn’t frighten her. Instead, she felt calm and secure. This was her place.