Lucy tried not to think about her old life. She still had a tender heart, and wished to harm no one... and the mind-reader who kept her as more than captive would surely pluck the thoughts of her friends from her defenseless brain, and visit the worst horrors on these innocent people - for no better reason than that she loved them, and hoped in her secret heart that they would someday save her.

She was mostly happy, when she was able to focus her mind on the present. Her body was strong and healthy; she had sleep, food, chores and lessons to keep her from wasting away of boredom. She even had a new job, serving drinks and dancing in the dark hall of the Chainned Inn. They would not let her sing, and her dress was always the same. Still, it was better than the crippling ennui of captivity, better than being tortured in her mind for imagined disobedience.

The hardest part was hearing news from the city. She was not often allowed out, but the other girls whispered gossip when they could. Mary Read, her first true beloved, was getting married to another woman. Even more bitter, The Alley Cat Club, her first true home, was prospering and becoming famous in her absence. Men everywhere raved about the beautiful girls, the excellent entertainment.

She was not mentioned; she was not missed. Few even remembered the cat-girl who had sung and danced for only two evenings. And what, she thought in despair, was the point of escaping? The world continued to turn without her, and those she had left behind had gone on to better things.