Sunsak’s eyes fluttered open, the unfamiliar feeling of softness beneath him making his heart race. A bed. He was lying in an actual bed, something he had only dreamed about. For as long as he could remember, his parents had denied him such basic comforts, relegating him to sleep on the cold, hard floor like an unwanted guest in his own home.

Confusion clouded his thoughts as he took in the small, dimly lit room. The walls were bare, save for a single window that let in a stream of sunlight, dust dancing in its beam. He tried to sit up, but a cold, metallic sensation around his ankle stopped him. His gaze shot down to see a chain, its other end secured to the bedpost. Panic surged through him as he tugged at it, the rattling sound filling the quiet room.

“Where am I?” he whispered to himself, his voice hoarse with fear.

Before he could process any further, the door creaked open. Sunsak froze, his breath catching in his throat as a figure stepped into the room. For a moment, he was terrified it was his parents coming to reprimand him for something he hadn’t even done. But then his eyes widened as he recognized the face before him.

It was his older sibling.