The Past.

As Tanner's body tumbled backwards, her reflexes kicked in with a lightning quickness that defied the laws of physics. With a grace that belied her desperate situation, she extended her arms and legs. To her surprise, they caught hold of the rough walls of the pit like a skilled acrobat defying gravity.

Her captors, using an auger to dig the hole, failed to account for Tanner's height and large wingspan extended to its full reach. She was longer than the hole was wide, allowing her to pressure the wall enough to prevent slippage.

With a victorious surge of adrenaline, Tanner steadied herself. She clung to the earthy walls like a tenacious vine seeking its hold in the face of a relentless storm. The wet soil clung to her hands, embedding itself beneath her fingernails.

Slow and steady, her ascent continued. Tanner moved each appendage, hand over hand, followed by foot over foot.

As she climbed the dirt walls of her prison, a tumultuous mix of emotions consumed Tanner's mind. Fear coiled around her heart like a venomous serpent. Its icy fangs sinking deep into her chest with each labored breath she took. The darkness surrounding her appeared to come alive. It closed in on her from every direction, suffocating her with its heavy presence.

Yet she remained undaunted. Her determination fueled her ascent, inch by painstaking inch. The dappled light that filtered through the narrow opening cast an ethereal glow on Tanner's muddy form. A stark contrast to the damp, dark walls closing in on her with each passing moment.