43

As quietly as you can, you grasp the bars on the door and lift. The hinges are bolted into the side panel, and you apply the full force of your might to tearing the bolts clean out of the frame.

You heave and strain, sweat pouring down your neck, for what feels like an eternity. But it's just too big an ask. The bolts hold fast, and no amount of straining can loosen them. Eventually you give up and collapse to the ground, breathing heavily and overwhelmed by frustration.

Time for a rethink.

"Come here! Guard!" you hiss across the cavern.

The guards look at you, and one of them signals for you to be quiet.

"No! Come here! I need to talk to you!"

One of them wearily stands up—the same person who brought you the porridge earlier, you note. The other two offer mocking smiles and turn back to the game.

The disgruntled guard comes over to your cage. "What do you want?" he growls.

"It's Zhu!" you reply. "He's insufferable. I demand another cell. If he keeps pushing my buttons, I swear I'll beat the bastard to death."

"Another cell?" he says. "Look around you, idiot! Do you see any more cells?"

You keep badgering him, praying that you can draw his attention while Zhu lifts the key. You are fairly successful at enraging him—but not quite successful enough.

Just as Zhu's hand disappears into the guard's pocket, the guard's eyes widen. He slaps the intruding hand away.

Quick as a flash, the guard grabs your throat and pulls hard, painfully slamming your head into the solid iron bars. "Don't mess with me, American," he hisses as he squeezes the air out of you.

After what feels like an eternity, he releases his hold. You fall back onto your behind, gasping for breath. The guard snarls, "Go to sleep," before turning on his heels and returning to his game.

Time for a rethink.