Chapter 40

Valerie

In all honesty, it was a pointless room. If one wanted to escape, they could have simpled reached for the end of their leash and unhooked it from the latch.

We were humans with opposable thumbs, after all. Sometimes I thought the rest of the world forgot that we were physically capable of most of the same things they were.

The only factors keeping us obedient were the fact that we would be horrifically punished if we were ever to attempt an escape—and also the large and intimidating guard that had been brought into the room.

It was mostly his presence that pressed us to stay where we were and patiently await our masters. It was not long before my legs began to tremble from standing so long. I hadn’t had a break since the moment Lucas and I were seated on the couches, speaking to Marvolo. I wanted to pace, to run to stretch—but slaves were not allowed freedoms like these.

After several moments of excruciating silence, a cough came from the guard. I looked over, watching as he t