She thrashed weakly against the restraints, wrists rattling in the iron shackles.
The metal bit into her skin as she twisted and pulled, desperation giving her frail body sudden strength.
The sound of the chains clinking against the bedframe echoed through the sterile ward, a pitiful rhythm of resistance and fear.
"Please… please let me out…" Her voice was hoarse, broken from crying too long, but still trembling with the last threads of strength.
Tears cut lines down her gaunt cheeks as she struggled to lift her head.
"I have a little girl to feed," she gasped, her words hitching as though the weight of her plea might break her in half.
"Please… I swear I won't tell anyone… just let me go…"
Her arms rattled the chains again, but they barely moved, cutting deeper into her bruised wrists.
The monitors attached to her body spiked erratically with her rising heartbeat.
Two researchers standing near her glass chamber paused, glancing up from their tablets.
