11

"You look like you've been here a while," you say to the guard as he comes to deliver your meal. "You must know every corner of this place."

The man slides the bowl of gruel under the bars of your cell and stands back. "You want a slap or something?" he says. "I've been told not to talk to the prisoners. 'If he talks, hit him till he shuts up'—those are my orders. So if you know what's good for you, you'll keep quiet."

The guard turns on his heel and leaves you to your meal. You chew on a cold and bitter mouthful of gruel, trying to think of your next move.

The Next Morning