IN THE early hours of the following morning, Evelyn slid off the deserted bed. She felt better but a little sour and weak. Naturally, her slender feet carried her to the kitchen.

She'd literally eaten nothing throughout the previous day, besides the occasional sips of lemonades and energetic drinks.

The smell of bacon and scrambled eggs filled her nostrils as she got to the kitchen's doorway. They were her favorite and on a normal occasion, her appetite and palate would jump for joy at ...