CHAPTER 27 

Meg screamed, cried and screamed again. Her screams echoed through the dark and cold environment, unanswered.

Caged in a room with only fear and darkness for company, she heard the screams of other women as well.

Time after time, someone would throw a piece of musty bread in her direction, accompanied by a mug of dirty water, just enough to keep her from starving to death.

As the pain of hunger and cold settled into her weakened body, Meg couldn't help but think of James. Had he suffered by noticing her absence? Would he have looked for her when he realised something was wrong? Or maybe, just maybe somewhere inside himself, he felt relieved by her sudden departure. Questions without answers consumed his mind, stirring his anguish.

The days dragged on grew exceedingly long. Hunger gnawed at his empty stomach, thirst punished his dry throat and cold penetrated his bones. It was an unrelenting torture that threatened to destroy his sanity.

The door opened and a man in a long tu