Evelina leaned against the rough wall of the pit, breathing hard and shallow. The air was thick with the smell of damp soil and decay, and her body shook from the lingering effects of the wolfsbane in her system.
Insects crawled around her, giving her chills as their tiny legs lightly touched her skin, feeling like whispers of danger.
Her voice trembled gently as she called out, "Hello? Is anyone there?" Her words floated softly in the stillness, only to be swallowed by the heavy silence around her.
There was no response.
Swallowing hard, Evelina forced herself onto her knees, her body protesting every movement. She squinted up at the jagged edges of the pit's opening above her.
It felt impossibly high; the dim light filtering through made the climb appear insurmountable. The edges were uneven, but they offered the faintest possibility of handholds.
