This is a true story, written by my father that passed in 2012. The Smoke Jumpers By Joe Nations This is based on the Civil War Era

Within a faded light that appeared through the cracks of the cement wall, the darkened figure would arrive. He has become accustomed to the nutrition provided by the dark figure. Though generally consistent with it's visits, it has not returned in several days. The child's nutrition depended on the slimy, bitter unknown substance. Through the dim light the substance appeared light green, the child preferred the taste of murdered rats that crawled within the confinements of his cell. The sharpened bone of a rat's corpse lie within his hand.