Proserpina

I sat down to the simple meal that had been arranged for us. Under the watchful eye of a few of Siek Toth’s gun-toting men, Phillippe and I ate the food.

We were served by an old woman in her traditional dress and I stared at her heavily embroidered blouse and the skirts that swished about her as she moved. In another life, I might have admired the intricate thread work, lovingly crafted. But now, I sat like a zombie, staring at it without it really registering in my mind.

The Kapustnica she had ladled out for us in large bowls was a delicious sauerkraut soup. I remember having...