To anyone reading Torn From the Roots, here's a snippet from the new chapter:
She was cold, wet, and filthy. Her once beautiful hair hung in clumps around her face, knotted and tangled with everything from sludge to rocks. Her dress was torn and equally as filthy, all the vibrant colors now brownish and muted. She hadn't felt this horrible in decades.
She leaned against the wall of the tunnel, not caring about the dirt that crumbled into her hair and dress when she touched the wall. She took in several deep breaths, trying to keep herself awake. Her stomach moaned for any source of nutrition.
There had to be an end to this tunnel. There had to be.
She closed her eyes and tried to think positive. At least she didn't have to cut off her hair. Or endure physical torture. Heck, she didn't even have to attend a world meeting.
She laughed at that. The sound was hollow and filled with despair, a shallow attempt to feel mirth.
She was rewarded with the feeling of loneliness only growing.
There has to be an end to this tunnel. There has to be.
She gripped the earthen walls, dirty and torn nails digging into the soft earth, and stood shakily. She had to continue. She needed to get back.
Then she heard the rustling. The scratches that made her skin crawl. She was once a warrior, but just the mere idea of what was coming towards her made her want to cry. She'd seen the creatures that lived in these tunnels. She was defenseless. They were not, with their long ragged claws and sharpened teeth.
She tried to run, but her legs would not work.
And suddenly, she was immersed in fear as the creature came from behind.
There would never be an end to this tunnel, would there?