Blackness.

The whole world seemed to be made from it; that and pain. She felt it rake through her body, like burning coals running through her whole body. White hot, and lik metal, it lasted for what felt like hours. It wasn't until it stopped, that that roaring in her ears died down. It grew into words, words she could hear, but couldn't see.

"Madame, are you okay?"

Still nothing. The sound was coming from her left, in that cold dark study. She was found in the center of a drawn circle, photographs scattered around her, most ruined by blood. She saw none of it, and none of the soldiers checking out what they believed to be a disturbance.

"Whose....there?" she asked, blindly feeling around. "Where am I?! What's Going on?!"

She scrambled to sit up, falling to her side and hitting her chin. She grunted and allowed herself to sit up, albeit with help.