A church somewhere tolled the time. What time was it? And her head…why did it feel so heavy? She blinked her eyes several times, afraid to believe what she saw, but the scene didn't change. And then it all came back to her. Her impetuous flight after John and Michel. Her capture by an unknown villain. But there was no one about now. She felt stifling hot. She looked at the window, the only light source. It was closed tight. But first, she needed to see if she could escape through the door. She struggled to her feet, looking with dismay at the filthy cot where she had lain. Her head instantly bowed to examine her dress, pulling at it as if she would be able to see any vermin that had attached themselves to her person. Her new muslin dress with the lovely blue cornflowers was crumpled and wrinkled, and she stank, but there appeared to be nothing fastened to her…yet. A board creaked as she wobbled her way toward the door, hand held tightly to her churning stomach. She froze. Would that slight sound bring anyone to investigate?
