Autumn Masters is a failure in her own mind. She is about to let her dream of being a writer die when she is given an opportunity that may be too good to be true. She has to navigate dating, sex, attraction, writing, teaching, and learning all at the same time. Will she survive the torture, use it to her advantage, or be swept beneath it all?

The Torture of Autumn

Finally, I get it. I understand. I know what’s going on and I know what’s missing. It all makes sense now. It all came together for me.


I don’t want to let my captors know that I know. Not yet. I need to formulate a plan. But that’s what’s happened. They beat me, they drugged me, they tortured me and deprived me of the basic luxuries and, in some cases, the necessities of life. In the process, they broke down every fiber of my will, every element of my ability to resist. And when they had me completely reduced, they rewrote me, made me into this creature that accepts everything going on around her and is willing to do their bidding.


I figured it out last night. I figured out what happened, and—I think—I broke free of their conditioning. But I can’t let them know that I’ve done it. If they know I’ve broken free they’ll set to work on me again. I’m not doubting my survival. They want me alive. They won’t kill me. 


Chapter 61: In many ways, still being tortured