I awoke to absolute darkness.
It was a darkness so complete it seemed almost tangible, thick as the devil's soul. The air hung heavy with moisture, making every breath feel damp. Beneath me, the stone floor was icy cold and slick with water, sending a chill through my body. Somewhere in the darkness, water dripped steadily.
Plink.
Plink.
Plink.
The sound echoed endlessly, as though the cave itself possessed a heartbeat.
The pungent smell of stagnant water filled the air. In my mind, unseen creatures slithered and crawled through the shadows—snakes, alligators, and every manner of beast lurking just beyond my sight.
What am I doing here? Where is this place? How did I get here? I raised a trembling hand to wipe the moisture from my face. Was I inside a cave?
The last thing I remembered was lying down to sleep in one of the rooms within the church quarters after the prayer session with Pastor Vivian.
So how had I ended up in this place?
Could this be Philomena's doing?
