A Bitter Summons

DAPHNE

I woke to the soft creak of the door opening, faint morning light slipping through the crack. My eyes fluttered open, the dull ache in my back a sharp reminder of the hard floor I’d slept on all night. My limbs felt stiff, my stomach felt like an empty pit that growled loudly, reminding me of the meal I’d missed the night before. The room was silent except for the soft sound of footsteps.