The silence becomes oppressive, and my thoughts turn restless. What are they planning? Why hasn’t anyone returned?

My mind wanders to Valeria, to the last image I had of her. She was bloodied, but defiant. Did they take her to a pin or cell too? Is she still alive? My jaw tightens, the pressure building behind my eyes. I press my head back against the wall and squeeze my eyes shut.

The cold from the floor seeps into my bones, and I start to tremble. Not from fear, but from the icy chill of ...