Chapter Three

> you were already awake when Twilight returned the next morning.
> the lights flick on as she enters, blinding you momentarily as your eyes adjust from the darkness
> that was probably the worst night of sleep in your life
> sleeping on the floor is hard enough, sleeping with your hands shackled behind you as well? Near impossible
> the fact you had no idea what Twilight planned to do to you certainly didn’t help
> your back is  completely stiff and your shoulders are cramped
> your gag has grown a foul taste and absorbed all the moisture in your mouth, leaving it dry and leathery
> as she reaches the bottom of the stairs, you see her levitating a plate, a glass of water, and a bucket behind her
> she stops in the middle of the room and floats the three items over to you
> the plate had a small loaf of bread on it, and the charred remains of a small fish. The bucket was empty
> how were you supposed to eat with your hands bound and your mouth gagged?
> you feel your manacles become weightless behind you, and your right hand pops free
> your gag is undone, and floats away
> you immediately snatch the glass and begin gulping down the water
> it’s warm and not very refreshing, but it’s still water.
> the glass is drained far more quickly than you would have liked, but you move on to the food
> you pick up the small loaf of bread and bite into it
> it’s stale and tasteless, you can also see a few patches of mold on the surface
> the fish isn’t any better. It was never cleaned and the outside is burnt black
> working around the bones you find a few edible patches, you wish you still had some water to wash away the taste
> finishing your meager meal, you realize you have an immense need to alleviate yourself
> you haven’t had the opportunity to go to the bathroom since you arrived here
> the purpose of the empty bucket quickly becomes clear
> you wish twilight would give you some privacy while you do your business but alas, she does not
> after you finish, twilight levitates the bucket, plate and glass away
> the gag floats back over, and is forced back into your mouth, filling with that foul taste
> your right arm is pulled back behind you, and your wrist is snapped back into the manacles
> “lets begin.” Twilight says, sitting herself down in the center of the room, well beyond the reach of your chain
> the time you feared is upon you. what was she planning to do? Torture? Experiments? Dissection?
> her horn becomes surrounded by a purple aura as she closes her eyes in concentration
> you cringe and turn away, expecting some horrible fate
> but after several seconds, nothing seems to happen
> you turn back to Twilight, she still sitting there with her eyes closed, horn aglow
> was she preparing something? Maybe it wasn’t working. You certainly don’t feel anyth-
> wait
> you feel something in the back of your mind, just on the border of your subconscious
> you might just be imagining it…
> No, it’s definitely there
> It’s some sort of presence, slowly growing in the back of your head
> Dammit, it was her! She’s in your mind!
> You focus your will, trying to force her out of your thoughts
> She lashes out with your own mind, and the two of you become locked in a battle of wills
> you put up the best defense you can muster, but she’s slowly and inevitably working past it, forcing herself deeper into your brain
> there’s nothing you can do as she begins to access the contents of your mind
> your thoughts become filled with images and memories as she delves deeper into your consciousness
> some of your earliest memories flash before you
> your parents
> your brother
> your home
> she doesn’t pay much attention to them, only giving each memory a quick glance before moving on to the next
> your first birthday party
> your first day of school
> your first friend
> your- no,
> not that one
> you don’t get that one
> you clench your eyes shut and bite down hard on your gag, focusing all your will on shielding that one particular memory
> for a moment you force her away, regaining control of your thoughts
> she quickly recuperates and attacks again, her will colliding into yours with the strength of a freight train
> your defense is smashed and brushed aside as she begins reading the memory you fought to protect