Sleep takes me far away from this living nightmare. When I finally wake, the cold has seeped into my body and my muscles ache. I don't think I moved the entire time I slept. I stretch while trying to control the stormy sea of emotions rolling through me.

The complete darkness keeps me from having any idea what time it is, which is disorienting. I inch my hand along the rough wall searching for the waste bucket. My fingers knock hard against the plastic and I'm surprised the damn ...