35

I woke up in the middle of the darkness, the stale, damp air filling my lungs as my body lay sore on the floor of the pit. A groan escaped my lips, and with effort, I sat up, feeling the sticky mud clinging to my skin and soaked clothes. I looked around in the dim light, trying to orient myself, to understand where exactly I was.

"Lottie!" I called out, searching for my friend in the darkness. Worry flooded over me when I received no response. Where was she? Was she okay? My heart pounded, fear palpable in the air.

Weak sounds of movement echoed from the other side of the pit. My eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness, trying to distinguish any shapes among the shadows. Then, a figure slowly materialized, approaching me cautiously.

"Eva?" Lottie's voice reached my ears, filled with fear and confusion. A sigh of relief escaped my lips as I saw her safe, though she was obviously scared and bewildered.

"Lottie, are you okay," I said, trying to calm her as I crawled towards her. We embraced