Very well described, brutality of the situation and all. I like the ebb and flow of hope here, how it seems really bleak and dismal but ends on that defiant note. Nicely done.

Wow, totally agree with THX. I really like most, if not all of your work! Only one thing I picked up on: in your fourth paragraph, I believe the second sentence should read “I had woken up.” Just to be consistent with the rest of your very grammatically correct, beautifully written story. :) Keep writing! You’ve got a gift!

Thanks for that suggestion and, of course, encouragement.