Chapter 38: Witches' lair

Jacquelyn huddled in a corner, rubbing her eyes as she tried to make sense of her surroundings. She had no idea how long she'd been missing from the marketplace or how she'd ended up with the woman she thought was Griselda. It felt like she had passed out, and now she was awake, she tried to piece together what had happened. The air around her was thick with a strange, pungent smell, and the walls felt sticky to the touch. When she tried to stand, her head hit something hard, making her wince.

"Ow..." Jacquelyn winced, rubbing the part of her head that felt sore. She tried to move her feet, only to discover they were bound together, forcing her into a cramped, uncomfortable position. She attempted to shift to the side, but it was impossible.

"W-where am I?" the girl whispered, her voice trembling. The space was circular, with no visible windows or doors. It was then that Jacquelyn realized she wasn't in a room at all. She was trapped inside some kind of pot.