Literally dragged her.
Like she was nothing.
A sack. A trophy. A rag doll he’d grown bored with.
At first, she’d tried to fight. Then she’d run out of energy. She had nothing left to give.
So she’d let him pull her along the cold, rocky ground.
Her stomach roiled at the memory of her skin tearing against sharp sticks. At her clothes ripping on stones. Of her skin bruising as she bounced along.
Back at the cabin, he’d tied her up again, humming softly under his breath as he worked. Then he’d crouched in front of her, light blazing from his headlamp, and tilted his head like he was admiring a piece of art.
“You’re brave,” he’d said. “You did better than most.”
Hearing those words had been worse than the running.
Better than most?He’d done this before. She’d suspected that earlier, but this only confirmed it.
“Why?” Her voice cracked. “Why me?”
She could have been certain he grinned, though she couldn’t see his face.
“I have my reasons,” he murmured.
Then he’d left with a promise he’d be back soon for more.
ForPart Two.
Terror shot through her at the thought.
Her bones ached.
Was she getting a fever? That was the last thing she needed. But she wouldn’t be surprised.
There was no comfort to be found in her environment, in her situation.
Yet she’d somehow managed to sleep.
How long, she didn’t know.
But it didn’t matter. Everything still hurt when she woke.
The man took another step into the cabin, his boots thudding against the floorboards. That light was still on, shining in her eyes, obscuring his face.
He stood over her and paused. “Still cold? I keep forgetting how sensitive bodies get after exertion.”
She didn’t answer.
He didn’t seem to notice—or care.
“I’ve been thinking,” he continued chatting as if they were sharing coffee instead of terror. “Yesterday was important and necessary. But today—today’s when the real work begins.”
“What . . . what do you mean?” Her voice came out thin, shredded.
He laughed as if her fear pleased him. “I want to play a new game with you. One you’ll like. I promise.”
Fear shot through her so sharply it made her dizzy. “I don’t like any of this.”
