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She reacted instinctively, turning away sharply from the blinding light.

Viyan had been lying in the dirt, forlorn and despairing.

Then suddenly the metal door had burst open, her betrayer stepping into echoing cylinder.

Shocked, Viyan tried to rouse herself, but she was too slow, a heavy boot pushing down on her cheek, grinding her into the dust.

‘Are you ready, Viyan? Any last words?’

Viyan said nothing, merely groaning, her lips coated in filth.

‘No? How disappointing. I was hoping you’d at least beg, especially as you’ve got a captive audience …’

Her tormentor laughed as she gestured to the gloomy faces watching through the open door.

Returning her attention to her captive, she leaned forward, increasing the pressure.

Viyan could feel the rubber ridges of her abuser’s sole pressing down hard on her, threatening to crack her cheekbone at any moment.

Was this how it was going to end? Crushed by a woman who’d promised to save her?

Viyan would take that, at least it would be quick, but predictably her tormentor now raised her boot, determined to deny her prisoner any respite, any clemency.

‘I really did do my best for you, Viyan,’ she continued, shaking her head in disappointment.

‘I raised you up out of the dirt, gave you a job, a roof over your head, a purpose in life and how did you repay me? By plotting and planning and conniving. Poor, deluded Viyan. Did you ever think you could succeed? That you could outwit me ?’

Viyan refused to look at her, wanting no part of her sick games.

‘When will you understand that I can’t be beaten, I can’t be stopped? In this place, I am everything .’

Viyan clamped her hands over her ears, couldn’t bear to hear any more of this delusional bullshit, but Leyla’s voice cut through.

‘I am the dispenser of charity, I am the bringer of retribution. I can give life … but I can also take it away. You should have thought of that, before you dared to betray me.’

Raising her boot, Leyla turned away. Released from her vice-like grip, Viyan struggled to her feet, but her captor was already in the doorway, casting one last, gloating look back.

‘What a shame your family will never see you again. I’ll make sure to send them your regards …’

Stepping out of the incinerator, Leyla slammed the door shut.

The heavy lock lever now fell, then to her horror Viyan heard footsteps pounding the perimeter to the control box.

For a second, there was a terrible, pregnant silence, then with an ominous creaking sound, the machine came to life.

The roar of a flame, the clanking of heating metal, the sound of death.

Scrabbling up onto her knees, Viyan clamped her hands together and began to pray.