Chapter 4 - The Scraps of DignityRyan walked toward the cage carrying a cheap foam container.
Eleanor's stomach tightened.
Food.
She had eaten almost nothing since the previous morning.
Ryan stopped just outside the bars.
"You hungry?"
Eleanor looked at him.
She didn't answer.
Ryan smiled.
Then he threw the container onto the grass.
It struck the ground and opened.
Cold leftovers scattered through the dirt.
Some of the food landed inches beyond Eleanor's reach.
Chloe laughed.
"Oh my God."
She covered her mouth, pretending to be amused.
"Look at her."
Ryan glanced at Eleanor.
"Go ahead."
Eleanor stared at the food.
Her dignity told her not to move.
Her body betrayed her.
Slowly, painfully, she crawled toward the bars.
Her fingers slipped through the narrow opening.
She reached.
Her fingertips touched the grass.
Not the food.
She reached farther.
Ryan watched with satisfaction.
For him, this wasn't about hunger.
It was about power.
He wanted her to understand that he controlled even the smallest things.
Water.
Food.
Freedom.
Hope.
Eleanor finally whispered the only word she could find.
"Please."
Ryan smiled.
"That's better."
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But neither Ryan nor Chloe saw the car that had just turned onto the far end of the street.
And they didn't see the woman stepping out.
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