I have to admit, I needed to let this one process for a little while. It was hard reading through the graphic description of torture. But in the end, the author did a great job of building a society and characters that readers can emphasize with.
While I'm not a huge fan of violence or torture in a story, the only thing that really makes me stop reading (or watching a movie) is when they kill the dog. Then I'm out of there.
I can see this chapter developing into a more intricate story and expanding into a larger world. Good work SA.