Inside the room there is a step ladder
But why, what for; is this a joke?
The room has no trapdoor in the ceiling
There are no doors or windows in the wall
She has been sealed in
She is pregnant and the baby is due in a few months
Now she falls asleep and in her dream
She sees a man descending the ladder
He leans toward her and whispers
Can I help you?
The voice wakes her up
The room is dark, she can barely see
But no one is there
Now she is starving to death
Her body is thin
Her child has little chance of being born alive
The room roars with laughter
The room has no eyes, ears, or mouth
Yet it seems alive
Why are you doing this she asks?
But there is no answer
Except for that dream again
Of a man who descends the step ladder and whispers
How can I help you?
She has gone through all the emotions
Terror, self-pity, anger
Now as hunger takes completely over
She is too tired to feel too much
And now it is time to give birth