Chapter 37: Kent's Prize

Time passed in a blur. Starving and dehydrated, Charlisse grew weak. She spent her days lying within her circle, drifting in and out of consciousness, praying God would not abandon her.

Each afternoon, when Charlisse felt as though she were being roasted alive, she sat and tried to pray. On one such afternoon, as soon as she had finished her petitions, the circle of divine light vanished.

The sound of footsteps and the jingle of keys came to her ears, and she looked up to see Kent's arrogant smile flashing at her from the bottom of the ladder.

"I've reconsidered my ungentlemanly behavior and have come to show mercy and rescue you from this place." He fumbled with the keys and unlocked her cell.

Every nerve in Charlisse's body coiled in alarm. Her heart thumped wildly. She tried to stand but could not. Instead, she scooted herself backward as far as she could into the dark cell. "Please, just leave me be."