Sunlight. Real, unfiltered sunlight. Was this how it’s supposed to feel like? How had Liz gone for so long without it?

Her fingers ran over the wooden wall, catching on every divot and tracing through each grain. Not a single one of her friends had supported this. Eva had started crying, bawling incoherently about how this was the worst betrayal she’d ever experienced in her entire life. Sandy had raised an eyebrow and said nothing, but the disapproving frown spoke more than enough. And Claire had made attempts at excitement, but she was the worst liar of the group.

“Does the place even have running water?” Sandy asked.

Liz shrugged.

Sandy let out a long, long sigh. “Whatever makes you happy, Liz.”

And she was. Happy, that is. Outside, she could hear frogs croaking. Frogs. When was the last time she’d any animal sounds besides the flapping of pigeon wings outside her window?

***

n.b: all i could muster up tonight