Nicole's head throbbed as she slowly regained consciousness, her body aching from the harsh, cold ground beneath her. The scent of damp stone and rusted metal filled her nostrils, making her stomach churn. She shivered, instinctively wrapping her arms around her swollen belly, her fingers pressing protectively against her babies that was in her womb.
A dim torch flickered beyond the iron bars, casting elongated shadows across the walls. The room was vast but filled with cages—cages holding people. Some lay motionless, others curled into themselves, their spirits broken.
Nicole's vision was blurry at first, but as it sharpened, she noticed Clarice stirring beside her, groaning as she clutched her head. Their once-clean clothes were now dirtied and tattered, their hair tangled, and their skin marred with dried blood and dust.
And then there was her.
