The two sisters were terrified, for they knew they were about to die. The monsters were going to eat them alive, along with four other girls.

Marta, the younger of the sisters, was eight years old. She wore a long green gown. She was crying uncontrollably. She was also very thirsty, as she had had nothing to drink in hours. Roxa, the other sister, was ten. She was in a long black gown. Legend had it--and legend was all anyone had anymore--that anyone wearing black was to have a terrible time of it. Roxa knew that it was true, as she had tried to escape a few hours ago. At least she had found some water to drink; all of the other girls must be very thirsty?including Marta. Roxa wept for what her sister and the other children would soon have to endure. Still, she would try to be brave; everyone was depending on her.

"Before we dine," said the Leader of the monsters, "let us thank our dear friend, the Governor, for this fine sacrifice of six delicious virgins. This little one in black will be the first course. Don't worry, my friends; there will be enough for everyone. Put her on the rack! Hah-hah-heh-heh-hee!"

A guard escorted Roxa to the rack--a metal hoop that slid underneath her gown and fastened around her waist. Roxa knew what was to happen next: they would eat her, one leg at a time, starting with the right and finishing with the left; after that, they would start on her torso. If Roxa were lucky, she would be dead before they got much more than halfway through.

Roxa now felt the urge to relieve herself. She couldn't believe she hadn't shared the water with the other girls. She decided to relieve herself on the monsters; at the very least, the other girls might find it funny--the last bit of entertainment in their wrongly shortened lives. As she felt the urine flow out, Roxa heard a scream of terror--and immediately looked at Marta. But neither she nor the other children were screaming; in fact, they were saying nothing at all. Instead, the monsters at her feet were disintegrating. The guards suddenly grew terrified, and ran out the door, leaving it open.

Later, after Roxa had untied Marta and helped the other children escape, her father tried to reassure her. "Yes, I believe what you said about the Governor. Marta and the other children heard it, too. Many people are upset. He'll deny everything, of course."

"How can he? We know it's true!" Roxa sobbed angrily.

"Don't worry," her father assured her. "He won't be Governor much longer. The Guests, er, monsters, will be gone soon, now that everyone knows how to get rid of them." He smiled. "Thanks to you!" He hugged Roxa and Marta, and gave them both a kiss, though Marta was already asleep.

Roxa kissed her sister as they lay together in bed, then she too went to sleep.

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