FORTY-ONE.

As I come to, wriggling about, my body begins to ache.

Something is savagely digging into my back and the air tastes awfully shallow.

It smells of dirt, timber and… is that rain?

I groan, reaching up to touch my throbbing head. "What the…”

My elbow bangs against something solid, and I force my eyelids open, only to realise I've plummeted back into a blanket of midnight shadows.

Shuffling around, realising I've been imprisoned in a…a...

I use my hands to feel out my surroundings and I can feel four walls wrapping around me.

I've been boxed in.

I've been buried alive!

No, no, no, no, no...

One of my worst fears coming to life.

I try not to panic too much, reminding myself that I need to conserve the last bit of air that I have.

Banging on the wall above me, I start to cough and splutter as dirt falls through the cracks, dropping upon my face.

“Help!” I croak, pushing upwards. “Please, someone help me…" I plead, feeling flustered and light-headed.

I lower my hands, placing them over