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Maxine's POV

The old woman's words began to seep into my consciousness, filling the cracks that despair had been created through pain and suffering. Her kindness and encouragement reminded me of Elena’s words, my dear friend who always found a way to see the light in the darkest of times. Even though it didn't make sense, Slowly, I started to find peace within my chaos. The tears that once fell so easily dried up, and were replaced by a new will to think and help my way out of this dungeon.

It was a dark place that I wouldn't even want my enemies to experience.

I knew I needed a plan, something that would make them take me out willingly. Every day, I pondered what to do. What could I possibly offer that would change their minds? My mind was racing for a situation But no matter how hard I thought, nothing seemed to come.

One day, as I sat in the low light filtering through the small window, I began to sing softly. It started as a hum, a simple melody that rose and fell with my breath.