Time passed in a blur. Starving and dehydrated, Charlisse grew weak. She spent her days lying within her circle, drifting in and out of consciousness, praying God would not abandon her.

Each afternoon, when Charlisse felt as though she were being roasted alive, she sat and tried to pray. On one such afternoon, as soon as she had finished her petitions, the circle of divine light vanished.

The sound of footsteps and the jingle of keys came to her ears, and she looked up ...