The footsteps grew louder and louder, accompanied by snorts that sounded closer than ever before. I knew an uninvited visitor was approaching, but I couldn't see who it was. My body was weak from blood loss, and hunger had left me feeling drained, but I refused to give up hope.
Struggling to keep my swollen eyes open, I could barely make out a vague figure walking towards me. It wasn't my sister, that much was clear. Gasping for breath, I felt my body betraying me, urging me to surrender to the voice telling me to give up.
I couldn't tell if this was a dream or reality. All I wanted was to wake up and be free from this nightmare. The husky voice, which seemed to come from nowhere, startled me and made the hair on the back of my neck stand up.
"Where is she?" the voice demanded, leaving me terrified and confused. I had no idea what was happening, but I knew I had to stay alert and not give up my will to survive.