AMARANTH.

This word containst eight letters. Excluding the ninth, there are exactly eight circles left in Dante's view of Hell. After the first great revolt against the protocol, eight souls have been 'set free' to wander around never to return back. The chances of them meeting each other are close to impossible. All they know is that each one of them lives with the same burden and a signficant mark constantly reminding them about their past.