(Dinner by the window)

CLAUDIA

I heard him slam the door shut, and I jumped in terror. I looked around the dungeon again, trying to catch my breath.

My chest moved up and down as I kept weeping. It was hell on earth. The torches in the dungeon were growing dim, and I knew once they went off, that was the end. I would run mad.

I touched my forehead, and my blood wet my fingers. I had hit my head, and I was bleeding.

The dungeon was very silent, and I could hear only my cry. I stopped crying and tried listening to any sound.

It was silent as a grave, and that was scarier.

I stood up from the dusty floor and dusted off the sand on my gown with my hand. I shuffled to where one of the torches was and carried the sconce. It was pretty heavy, but I didn't care. I need more light to retain my sanity.

The torch had more rag that could still burn wrapped around the tip. So, I began to ignite more of the torches in the dungeon.

I shuffled as I moved from one torch to another. My gown was getting in the way of