The cave chamber was carved into the suspended mountain wall. Inside, it was simple, with a wooden bed, a meditation mat, and nothing else; the cave entrance was sealed with a black iron grille. It was only three steps across, with no extra space. Zhao Chunxia had been trapped here for a long time, rarely moving. Every day at noon, sunlight filled the valley, allowing her a fleeting moment of exposure to the sun.
Zhao Chunxia's scapula was pierced, with spikes protruding from her shoulder. Bloodstains had dyed her back garment, now scabbed. She sat still, gazing at the mountain wall opposite.
This dark gorge had two sheer rock faces, opposing and enclosing each other. It was both a marvel of nature's creation and a masterpiece of human craftsmanship. There were nearly a hundred stone caves in the facing wall, all inhabited by women with similar fates.
