Every instant that went by, the world was fading and closing in on me. As my strength waned, my breath became weak, frayed gasps.
The dreadful cold of the cell seemed to reach into my bones, making movement more difficult and mental clarity more elusive. My vision shifted and the figures and shadows all around me were hardly visible.
I knew I could die right there. Lydia had made it rather clear that her main concern was not mine. Once my value ran out, I was only a worthless tool.
My body felt light, icy, ghostly, disintegrating. The tasks I was meant to complete were hardly discernible; they were just a whirl of work and suffering.
Until I fell on the chilly stone floor, I didn't completely realize the thread that was holding my life. My heart ran err-wise and my pulse was weak. Ev
