The temple was famous for the sound produced when the wind blew through. A faint kind of wail, almost like choral singing.

Sarah stayed as long as her tour allowed, but the sounds of other tourists kept her from hearing it clearly. She’d hoped to record some of the sound for herself. Her frustration must have been visible, because the tour guide offered to bring her back after hours if she paid extra. Sarah immediately agreed.

Standing in the courtyard that evening, Sarah was finally able to hear the sound without interruption. It was not a continuous noise as she’d thought. It rose and fell in intensity, but not in relation to the speed of the wind. In a moment of stillness, the noise continued, much fainter.

There were words within it.

Help me

Hel-

Sarah woke in darkness, the only light from a vent above which flickered open when the wind blew. Around her, starving figures screamed towards snatched glances at the sky. Below her lay the bodies of those who had fallen silent.

Sarah screamed.