The days are long and hard, each one harder than the last. And there is no way out but death. Here only the very worse of society dwell and there are all manner of crimes and deviance committed.

I had chosen this place in the heat of anger, but now I felt guilt for that as well. It was too late to do anything about it now though. I’d already passed the decree and could not go back on my word.

I didn’t hang around there too long. Once eunuch Van found a young girl to sit ...