text: [Themes: mystery / thriller, psychological]
  
  You are barely able to see the back of Daddy's head. He is hunched over by the entrance to the room he calls outside, but you can't quite see who he is whispering to. Every few moments or so, when Daddy gets real intense, you hear a fresh whimper emit from the other person. His arms move up and down in a slow manner, erecting memories of how he sometimes talks to you in a real low voice and caresses your arms with his meaty hands. You back away from the bars and press your lips together, not wanting to make a sound and bring attention back to you. Daddy turns to face you anyway, a horrid smile on his face, as he pushes a girl who looks exactly like you toward the cage.
  
  "Maybe this one will appreciate my gifts more," His smile never leaves his face but his eyes are dead, "At least she'll be good company for a little while.." You grimace slightly as he throws open the cage door, his mouth watering. Daddy looks between the two of you before turning and inching his ways up the stairs.
  
  Quaking and shaking next to you, the new girl doesn't even look at you. Instead, she just focuses on muttering to herself and pretending that she's somewhere else. You remember having days like that. Those are only when Daddy gets rougher than normal.
  
  > say "Hey... I'm Tess."
  "Liz," She whispers back, trying to make sure her voice doesn't break.
  
  "Wish I could say it's good to meet you but.." You shrug and gesture around.
  
  "Right..." She stops rocking back and forth but remains in a ball, looking at you with a hesitant smile, "How long have you been here?"
  
  "My whole life," You chuckle, "Never known anything else."
  
  "Really?" She seems absolutely shocked and that allows you a moment to realize that this is a real person. Someone new. Someone who doesn't want to hurt you. That's... different.
  
  "Yeah... I've always wondered what it'd be like to look out a window or go to school." You sigh and pick at your toe nail to avoid feeling the discomfort that crept up on you.
  
  "It's not that great," Liz laughs weakly, "But it's definitely what I want to get back to..."
  
  "Do you have any friends?" The question surprises you even as you ask it.
  
  "Yeah, tons. Why?"
  
  "I've never had a friend." You stop picking at your toe.
  
  "Now you do," Liz moves to your side and places a hand on your shoulder, "We're together now."
  
  The basement door swings open, but she doesn't retreat back into her corner. Instead, she clings to your side and presses her face into your shoulder. Daddy steps in front of the cage and nods approvingly.
  
  "G o o d g i r l s..." He mutters, openning the door. With a speed that still surprises you, he lunges forward and grabs onto Liz to drag her out.
  
  "No! Please, no!" She screams and clings onto your arm. You think for a moment before figuring out what you want to do.
  
  > protect Liz
  You pull her away from Daddy and actually manage to wrench her from his grasp. You find yourself staring up at his surprised face and only manage to get out, "Take me instead."
  
  He looks down at you with a stone cold face. No one moves an inch, not even Liz. She stares at you in disbelief and you just stare into the hellish eyes of the man who has tortured you for your entire existance. Then he slaps you so hard you see stars that dance across your vision. You gasp but don't let out any other indication of pain.
  
  "Get up." He commands like a drill sergeant. You shoot up and follow him out of the cage. At least Liz would be safe for now. That's all that matters. Daddy leaves you up the basement stairs before stopping you at the top and revealing a roll of ducttape that he had grabbed as he led you. He begins to tear off a strip and you know now is the time to act. You could either push him down the stairs or allow him to do whatever. What's best for Liz? What's best for you?
  
  > Resist
  While Daddy focuses on the tape, you position yourself next to the door and smile at him. He looks at you for a moment before looking back down and tearing off the piece. Without any hesitation you use him as a spring and push him down the stairs as you leap up the rest of the way and latch onto the door. You were fully expecting him to latch onto you, but instead he tries to catch himself on the railing. He manages to for a moment and you think you're screwed when the wood actually snaps. You watch as anger flares in his eyes before he tumbles down without any control all the way to the bottom of the staircase. You throw the door open and run out into a living room. You take absolutely no time to even look around before seeing a window near the television. You charge, knowing full well that he is already storming up the stairs, and dive through the window. Pain flares through your body but you don't even take a moment to register it. Instead, you dash forward without even looking.
  
  The car never had a chance to stop. It slams into your frail form and you roll across the hood, up the windshield, and off the back. Screeching to a stop, a man gets out of the driver's seat and runs to your side. You hear hushed voices nearby as you stare up into this panicked man's eyes. At last you're free. Dimly, you feel the man shaking you and some people yelling at 'that fuck across the way'. You smile. At least Liz will be safe and you aren't trapped in that damn cage. You're okay with being a...
  
  Martyr. (Ending 17)