At the same time, Max was tossing and turning on a narrow bed in a basement. The only light was an old-style fluorescent tube, which gave out eerie white light, accompanied by the electric current's hissing.

Among the graffiti on the mottled wall, one could identify some bloodstains. And at the lowest part along the floor, there were four lines scratched by fingernails.

It was the fourth day today.

The door opened, and a teenager with hair dyed in various colors walked in. He scanned the dish on the floor and said, “Going on hunger strike, huh?” And then he looked to the man on the bed and made sure...