“Keep writing, Charlie!”
Charlie sat, cold and damp in the dimly lit cellar. The cellar was all he’d ever known.
For him, life ceased to exist beyond its walls.
“It hurts” he whimpered, raising his calloused fingers.
“Charlie, do as I say. Let’s make this easy,” she muttered in disgust.
Hurriedly, she forced his hand back towards the pencil and paper. “Write, Boy!”
–One Mississippi, two Mississippi, Three Mississippi, four Mississippi—
Charlie woke once more in the cellar. This time alone.
His bones ached, and his skin sagged, yearning for food and water. His clothing, though the same, now clean and crisp. His feet remained bare.
He could hear music and laughter from the floor above. The ceiling creaked under shuffling feet.
What information do readers need about Charlie?
How did Charlie end up in the cellar?
How did Charlie end up with clean clothes?
Who are the people upstairs? and do they know Charlie is being held below them?
What caused Charlie to lose consciousness or fall asleep?
Fifth of October 