Starving herself

A few items had been left behind in the white oak dresser and I picked at what was available. All the clothing colors were dark and most of the materials were thick and soft for wearing outside in the cold. I pulled out a black silk dress that was small and lightweight enough to wear to sleep and slipped it on. Having nothing better to do I sat at the vanity and brushed through my hair while avoiding looking at my reflection.

When the sun had been gone for hours, I turned off the gas lamp on the desk and crawled into the bed on the dais. In the pitch black of the room my mind wanted to run over me with dangerous thoughts. It didn't feel good to admit that the darkness around me was sinking into my mind and becoming its own creature.

The second day was much the same as the first. I tried harder to stop and question the servants when they brought my meals but the guard with them was always there to warn me away with a stern glance and flash of weapon. Those meals were left mostly untouc