The sun's light grew before eventually fading as shadows stretched before vanishing altogether, while the bread continued to sit untouched. Ada stared at it all, but wasn't really seeing it as she laid back against the wall. The jagged surface biting into her skin while she wondered if there would ever be more for her. She had no control over her life, and it made her feel weak. From her dream she had, she knew there was a time when she was free; when she was happy.

Once again, in the night, she found herself alone in silence. There was no call of a bird, and even the rats avoided the stench of the cells. The darkness left her cold as the nights continued to grow colder. Perhaps they would come to her cell to find she had frozen to death. Though she feared neither God or the Devil would let her get away so easily.

She recalled the calm and collected mannerisms of the Father. He frightened her more than the Sisters, for she could never tell when he was angry or happy. She hugged herself more tightly with her arms that were wrapped around her legs. Whenever he was involved, it meant more torment and suffering for her.

"Ada?"

Ada blinked her eyes. She was still sitting against the wall, never having gone to sleep, but somehow had missed when the sun had risen. Something had stirred her from her stupor, but she wasn't quite sure what as she looked around.

"Ada," Mary's soft voice came from the barred window.

"Mary?" Ada questioned, realizing it was her who had broken her trance. The girl shouldn't be there; she would get them both into trouble.

"You're still there!" she said happily. "I didn't know if you'd still be there."

Ada didn't say that of course she was still there, because she was locked up, though she wanted to. She couldn't really see Mary, and it was likewise the girl couldn't see her.

"I got you something," the girl continued, ignoring the fact that Ada didn't respond. "But everyone is getting really excited, the village is busy. There are a lot of people out so I have to go."

Ada watched as an apple fell down from the window, rolling on the ground, before bumping against her feet. She watched Mary's figure dashed and was left with dread at the sight of the fruit. The window was too high up for her to throw it out and there was nowhere for her to hide it. Her plate was still there, meaning the Sisters hadn't come by yet this morning. Panic was swelling with every breath she took as she looked around her empty cell. What would they do to her?

Her eyes were wide as she heard the door flung open followed by footsteps. Ada hurriedly reached out with her hand, snatching the apple by her foot, and sat on it. She then watched as the Sisters approached.

"Good, you're awake. Stand up, demon," the Sister demanded while unlocking the cell.

Ada didn't move.

"Demon, didn't you hear Sister Amelie?" the other, younger Sister questioned.

"Yes," Ada said, but she didn't move.

"Why you wretched thing!" shrieked the Sister as they rushed into the room. "How dare you not do as we say! We have been kind to you, trying to set you free from the Devil, and yet, you try to defy us!"

Ada was roughly pulled up, causing the apple to skid across the floor. She shut her eyes, knowing that the Sisters had seen it.

"Been making deals with the Devil?" sneered the Sister.

"No," Ada muttered even knowing it was useless.

"There is no other way a demon could get food, if we hadn't given it to you ourselves, and I know we didn't give you that apple," she hissed. "Enough with your lies."

"Come on," Sister Amelie said, "the Father wants to see you."

They herded Ada out the door and up the stairs. Each step that she took caused her to become more and more nervous as they headed to a door she hadn't seen before, at least not that she could recall. The Sisters were on either side of her, making sure that she couldn't get away. Her tongue flicked out of her mouth, wetting her lips as her eyes darted around. She wanted to run and get away from them, even being locked back up would be better than this unknown that awaited her. The doors opened up, and daylight was cast into the room. Ada was hesitant and stopped moving.

"Move," the Sister ordered, pulling Ada along.

Ada didn't know what to think when she felt the sun against her skin as the wind brushed against her. She closed her eyes, wanting to savor the moment. It felt so good that she wanted to cry; it was like in her dream. She had begun to think it would never happen to her again. However, the moment was ripped away from her as she was dragged further outside; her feet hitting every rock in her path until she tried to match the Sisters' quick pace.

Leaves of different colors filled the trees up ahead as they kept marching on. Ada tried her best to soak it all in, enjoying the soft silky feel of the fallen leaves once they approached the tree line. However, muffled voices were becoming more clear, and she felt her heartbeat quicken. She knew whatever was to happen wasn't going to be good.

They stumbled upon people gathered around a lake, their eyes wide with fright as they took Ada in. Gasps and whispers filled the crowd.

"Momma, make it go away!" a small child pleaded at a woman's skirt.

"It's hideous," a voice said nearby in shock disbelief.

Ada wanted to wrangle herself away from all the looks she was getting, but the Sisters'  tightened their grip, forcing her to move. Her eyes briefly caught a glimpse of light color hair. She searched again, catching Mary's eyes. Mary neither looked happy or sad, and Ada wasn't sure what to make of it.

"Father, the demon has been making deals with the Devil!" shouted Sister Amelie. "She had an apple this morning!"

They came to a stop in front of the Father, who stood next to a chair attached to some sort of contraption in front of a lake. Ada nervously looked up to him, afraid of what he would do and half hoping that Mary would speak up. She was met with a kind smile; it even reached all the way to his eyes. The only thing she could think of was that she was glad she hadn't eaten, as she felt like she would have gotten sick on it if she had.

"My dear, you truly seek to amaze me. Would you please sit down?" asked the Father, gesturing to the chair.

Knowing it was a demand and not a suggestion, Ada quickly sat. Ropes were tied around her, burning her skin as they were pulled tight. The water was now right in front of her. The dark murky surface rippling from the wind seemed to hide what was beneath. She didn't know what would happen next as she stared down at it, avoiding meeting the glares of the people that stretched around, wondering if that was to protect what was in it or to hide something dangerous.

"Drown it!"

"Kill the monster!"

"Be gone demon!"

Shouts grew in volume, then, Ada was plunged into the water. The rush of the icy water wrapping around her was a shock to her nerves. She panicked, struggling and wriggling to get free. The little air she had was already gone with her futile efforts to get out. She opened her mouth, only to fill it with water. Fear like she had never known coursed through her. Her arms and legs kept pushing against the rope despite the throb of them digging into her skin. With each pull, it felt as if the restraints grew tighter, cutting in. Just when she thought she was going to die, she was lifted back up.

"Did you make a deal with the Devil?" the Father asked from behind her.

Ada could only shake her head as she coughed and grasp in lungfuls of air.

"Do you continue to cohort with the Devil?"

"No," Ada weakly sputtered between a cough, her lips quivering as the wind pushed at her, leaving her with no chance of regaining warmth.

She felt the water gushing up to greet her again and quickly took in a big gulp of air. Though she wanted to meet her end, her body fought by instinct. Again, she struggled against the ropes, her skin breaking against the coarse fibers. Her face tried to pull up to the surface, desperate for air.

Air bubbles float to the top while her struggles stop. Blurred images swirled above, chilling her. Their faces looked contorted, and their eyes appeared dark, showing only hatred and malice. She couldn't help but to compare them to the monster they think she is.

She was brought back up. Choking on water, she tried to breathe. Her lungs felt as if they were on fire while the coughing left her sore and aching.

"Do you talk with the Devil?" questioned the Father again.

Knowing the only answer that would help her and condemned her at the same time, she spoke.

"Yes."