Died Alone, My Spirit Watches

"We'll release one woman. Your choice, Mr. Shannon."

Facing the kidnappers, my husband didn't hesitate. He pointed at his sobbing high school sweetheart, Flora.

"Release Flora," he commanded, his voice steady. "She's fragile. Adrianne is tough enough to handle this."

I tried to tell him I was bleeding, that I was pregnant with our first child, but he pushed me toward the knife without a backward glance.

"Don't be dramatic, Adrianne," were his last words to me.

I died alone in that cold, dark basement.