“Are you comfortable? How is the place treating you?” Alfonso jokes and I don’t find the humor in it.

“Afonso?” I say when I start to breathe again. His name comes out in a squeak. I sound weak, like a scared little mouse.

“Surprised?” Alfonso drags a chair across the floor and parks it in front of the bars. He sits down and leans back in the seat. He watches me, enjoying my reaction. There is a horrendous glint in his eyes. He’s amused by this. It’s just a ...