Vasilisa's POV
It had been two days.
I knew because when I woke up, and the tiny window in my cell was glowing from sunlight.
And then, the sun vanished after many hours. This repeated again.
I was going crazy in here. All I could do was sleep, get up and stretch my legs, and piss in the corner.
The piss was starting to stink, but had to be done.
I hadn't gotten food, water, or even a visit. It was just solitude.
When I woke again to find that another night had passed and the third dawn of my imprisonment was arriving, I started looking for ways out.
My first theory: The window.
I looked up and sighed, it had bars on it and was too small for me to climb through anyway, not to mention too far up.
Theory #2: Squeezing through the bars of the cell.
Possible, but my head would probably get stuck and then I'd be as good as dead.
I stood, shoving my hands in the pockets of my coat angrily and froze when I felt a pin. I smiled and almost yipped with glee.
Theory #3: Pick the lock and take off galloping into the sunrise after stealing a horse...and somehow stealing my mother and sister without being seen. That wasn't going to happen. It almost soured my good mood, but I powered through and took the pin out.
I knelt down beside the door and reached through the bars, picking it up and examining it. I stuck the pin in and felt around. It had three tumblers. I could do this. The middle was the longest. I pulled the pin out and bent it appropriately before sticking it back in and jimmying it. I held a faint click and laughed.
"Yes!" I whispered victoriously before twisting the pin. The lock fell open and I maneuvered it out of the hold and pushed the cell door open.
I'm free!
My stomach growled loudly, cramping for the thousandth time.
I'm free and hungry!
I pulled my cap off before running a hand through my dirty, oily hair. What was I going to do once I got out?
I sighed. If I'm not going to go back into the cage and lock myself up again, I might as well go get something to eat, eh?
As I snuck out of the building, I was relieved to find that the streets were relatively abandoned.
There was only the odd man carrying buckets of water here, or woman carrying a basket of bread there.
They were humans; they would not betray me. I slouched over walking through the streets, glancing around religiously to make sure no beasts were lurking yet. I found my house and entered gratefully. I almost broke down in tears at the familiarity.
I ran into the kitchen and grabbed a round loaf of bread. I took a large bite out of it and groaned. This was heaven in my mouth.
Shuffling into the back room I found my father's clothes.
I took the liberty of washing off and changing my bindings before redressing into clean clothes. My father's clothes were a bit big on me, but I only needed his shirt. I had my own bottoms. A burgundy shirt tucked into brown trousers, boots, and the leather jacket I'd taken as mine even before my father passed. He always teased me about liking his coat better than my own. It was the truth so it didn't offend me.
I tugged the cap back on my clean hair. I liked it short. When it was long, my thick hair was heavy and bothersome, always whipping about and getting in my face. It was hot during the summer as well. Mother would never let me cut it though, so I'd braid it and be done with my complaining.
When I wandered outside again, this time, munching on an apple, I saw that the sun had fully risen over the mountains. Many other people had risen as well.
I saw how the women that now found themselves in the company of the beasts were aloud to walk around freely. I hung my head, gnawing on my apple when I bumped into one of them.
"I'm sorry...Vas!"
I whipped around and stared Mary in the eye.
She was staring at me "What are you...you're dressed like a boy..."
I scowled at her "I am one at the moment, Mary."
She looked pain "Vas...please...it wasn't my fault that I was his, but I won't be sorry about it."
I inhaled sharply "They ripped people apart, Mary. And now you're in a relationship with one of them! I love you like a sister, but I don't see the sense in it!"
She looked on the verge of tears and I felt bad. I pulled her to me, though she was bigger than I and she embraced me "I don't either, but I can't help it." She mumbled.
She pulled away wiping her tears that never fell "Why did you choose to present yourself as a male to them?"
I pursed my lips and turned away intending to walk on, but she grabbed my arm. I turned around "Why do you think?" I asked quietly. She stiffened and looked around guiltily before nodding "I understand."
I sighed "It's V for now." She frowned "V?"
Her eyes widened "Aren't you supposed to be in a cell?"
I smirked "Supposed to be."
She looked worried "Why aren't you? How'd you get out?" I pulled the pin out of my pocket "I got hungry. I was tired of smelling my own rotting piss too. I've been in there for three days, Mary! No food, water! No toilet! I got this close," I held my thumb and pointer finger just an inch apart ", this close to talking to myself."
She frowned "That's...they wouldn't have left you in there..." I snorted "Well, they did."
She clutched her skirts and looked around nervously. I followed her line of sight and saw a beast coming our way "That's Gin." She said softly, and I saw her gaze turn soft as well. I sighed, not wanting to hurt her and announced "I need to go find Julie, make sure she knows they didn't kill me."
I took off before Mary could say any more.
I took another bite of my apple as I walked down the street.
When I entered the building, I noticed several women in the kitchen, cooking. God, it smelled divine. I saw my mother too and didn't hesitate to run up behind her and wrap my arms around her waist. She gasped and turned, and when she saw it was me, her eyes watered with tears.
She turned and hugged me back "My dear, where have you been?" She asked.
I bit my lip "The cells."
She pursed her lips, frowning "You've lost weight..." She picked a sausage up and stuck it in my mouth as I opened it to protest "They won't miss one." She said.
I bit into it and closed my eyes, smiling. "Thank you, mum." She kissed my cheek "My dear, it's my job. Did they just let you out this morning."
I looked around guiltily and shook my head "No, I...uh...picked the lock." She closed her eyes, exhaling "I swear...you're a reincarnation of Dany Grigori. There's no doubt about it."
I muttered "I was like a horse they forgot to feed and water down there, mum. I had to piss in the corner. It started stinking the first day. Can you imagine what it smelt like this morning?"
She shook her head and turned, quickly handing me another sausage "I think another one won't hurt you."
I took it, eating it quickly as well. "How's Julie?" I asked.
Mum nodded, turning to keep cooking "Fine. Just fine. She's out setting the table now if you'd like to see her." I grinned "I would, very much." She looked at me and said softly "Please be careful, Vasilisa." I nodded solemnly "I will, mum."
I exited the kitchen and saw Julie immediately, humming as she set the table.
She saw me quickly and smiled, relieved. I walked over to her to help so she wouldn't get in trouble if any of the beasts came in "You shouldn't have done that, V." She muttered. "I was starting to think they weren't going to let you out." I didn't mention that they hadn't and shook my head.
"Julie, what kind of older sibling would I be if I didn't help you?" I asked.
She huffed "A little grabbing won't kill me. It isn't worth your punishment either." I frowned and didn't say anything, just helped her.
"Julie," I started to tell her about Mary, but that's when the beasts entered, all laughing and talking rambunctiously. They almost seemed like young men discussing their latest mischief, but I knew better and tried not to draw attention to myself, but I wasn't so lucky.
I heard a growl among them "Who let you out?!"
It was Scar, the Alpha.