16. Pool

Anya

The sunshine streaming through my windows hints at a world outside that I used to be a part of.

But today is different. It’s my first day off, and I decide to spend it by the pool. The sun is out, the sky a crystal-clear blue as if trying to mock the murkiness clouding my thoughts. I walk out onto the penthouse deck, sliding the glass door shut behind me with a soft click.

I make my way to the pool deck, ignoring the ever-watchful eyes of the guards positioned strategically around the area. They barely glance my way, their expressions unreadable but their presence as heavy as a chain. The sun beats down on the gleaming pool surface, turning the water into an inviting, shimmering blue.

I lay down my towel on a chaise lounge, feeling the warm sun immediately start to sear my skin through the fabric of my swimsuit. For a moment, I close my eyes and let myself drift. The sun, the sky, the water—it’s almost enough to make me forget, almost enough to lull me into a false sense of free