Chapter 113

One moment, the oppressive pressure constantly pushing at the barrier of Antonia's mind was there, doing its best to creep in, and the next it was gone.

Vanished. Extinguished like the candle given to her days ago. But while the candle left a sign of its existence in the form of a glob of wax on the dirty stone floor, the overbearing presence that she'd grown used to in her head evaporated without a trace.

Only once it disappeared did she realize just how much it had weighed on her. Stifled her. Tainted her with its vile and dark oily feel. How light she suddenly felt. She even managed a smile, the first in what seemed like forever. I'm free. Free of that bastard.

Not entirely, or so she reminded herself considering her current location.

Her momentary elation couldn't last when faced with reality. Mentally free didn't equal physically free, but then again, judging by the noise coming from outside her cell, that was perhaps a good thing.