Darkness surrounds me from all sides. I feel a strange stiffness in my back, as if I had been lying on a hard surface for a long time. I do not recognize the material underneath me. It is neither earth nor stone. It's too soft to be rock and too smooth to be soil. It's definitely not wood or the bed that Sylvie taught me to make out of moss and twigs. Sylvie! I can't remember where we spent the night, but her not being next to me is definitely alarming. Neither of us want to separate anymore. Not after everything we've been through. We still haven't reached the stage where we feel safe if we're not in each other's sight. I wonder how long it will be before I stop needing physical closeness as a form of silent comfort. I've noticed that whenever my thoughts start to wander in that direction, Sylvie somehow finds herself nearby to push her muzzle into my hand or brush her tail against me. When we sleep, she always puts her paw on me, as if to make sure I'll be there in the morning, even though she's already curled up in my arms. Which was not the case now.

"Syl..."

I better not call her, what if they found us. But that is impossible. No. Take a deep breath. Concentrate. First determine where you are. Hmmm the space doesn't seem to be big, with my arms outstretched I can almost feel the edges on all sides, but I can't tell the height. It seems that the space is not natural, it is too square and has circular protrusions of regular shape and spacing, almost like a ladder. Maybe I can climb it.... Not likely, it's too slippery with condensation and it's smooth. I better give up trying this unsuccessful task, I was already panting and sweating. It's unnaturally hot and stifling. And cramped... What if they did find us. There is no other explanation for the situation I fond myself in. Instead of metal bars, they treated me to a plastic cube! Plastic, yes, it is a material that surrounds me. If I didn't know better, I would think I was in a plastic bottle. At least judging by the shape.

Thud! Thud!

What was that?

Thud! Thud! Thud!

It sounds like someone is banging on the wall a few meters away from me. I can also hear some scratching . That must be Sylvie, they probably got her as well!

"Sylvie! Sylvie! Can you hear me!?"

Silence... And then there was frantic scratching. It must be her, she must be trying to get to me! But I have no way to break through this wall. Banging and kicking doesn't help. Why am I out of breath already? Ah, my body temperature rose in this small space. I can't stand this heat, if this continues I will dehydrate quickly. Where did they put me? Nothing makes sense. I must not let fear overcome me! I have to get out of here, I have to get to Sylvie. Sylvie...

How is she, is she as scared as I am. I don't think do, she was always braver. Still, it's hard to forget how tiny and helpless she looked in that cage...

Why are my eyelids so heavy, I can't even lift my arm anymore. Looks like the banging and yelling have taken its toll. The air is heavy, there is not enough oxygen in it. I shouldn't have let panic take over.

The air is heavy... it's suffocating...

Same as last time... Ah, I never want to smell that rot and antiseptic smell again.

Sylvie, where are you? Did you manage to save yourself? Sorry I can't help you...

​

I'm so tired, I'm just going to rest...

​

Since when is it so hard to take a deep breath...