A Lie Before Dawn

POV: Astrid

My arms throb with a dull, heavy ache. Every slight movement sends a sharp pain through my shoulders, a lingering reminder of the deputies digging their thick fingers into my flesh. I sit heavily on our worn couch, staring at the scratched floorboards while I chew on one of my last pieces of stale bread. My throat feels tight, but I force the dry crust down.

I shouldn't even be eati