PROLOGUE
Blinding anguish tore through my arm the moment I smashed my palm through the brittle wood. After stifling a gasp, I hunkered against the wall, listening for any sound of him.
Where the howling wind had been a comfort, allowing me to know I was still alive, now the eerie silence was even more horrifying. The only constant was the drips of water pinging against the metal roof.
Drip. Drip. Drip.
Terror prickled across my skin creating goosebumps even in the oppressive heat. Weak from lack of food, my mouth and throat parched, I knew I wouldn’t survive another day. Not that he would allow me to live.
The monster was coming. I could feel it in my aching muscles and shredded skin, all compliments of my tormenter. He was making good on his promise.
Another wave of anguish and I cried out pathetically. My throat was too dry, preventing any sound except a strangled hiss.
Please, help me. Please…
Only there was no one coming to save me.
Just like no one had come for the others.
They were all dead.
Bloodied.
Beaten.
Discarded and left to be eaten by predatory creatures, demons lurking in the shadows.
Which beast was worse? The walking, talking deviant or the ones slithering in the mud?
Laughter tickled my chapped lips and as soon as I darted my tongue across the surface, the taste of blood assaulted my senses. I closed my eyes, fisting my forehead as I counted to ten. Numbers had kept me sane. Now they would be my guide as I tried to escape. I’d only have one shot at freedom.
Every move cautious, I broke away pieces of the boards, slowly at first, ignoring the pain as skin was ripped from my fingers. With every inch gained, my heartrate increased until I was tearing at the wood, gasping every few seconds.
A scream bubbled to the surface and I slapped my hand over my mouth. When the morbid silence returned, my urgency increased. Less than a minute later, I shoved my way through the ragged hole, dropping face first into muck.
Something had called him away. He’d been angry, furious with something. So different. So… terrifying.
This was the only chance I had.
Another wave of agony ripped at my lungs, but I pushed myself free of the mud, taking gasping breaths of the stale, putrid air. The stench was horrific, mold and moss, decay so overpowering I dry heaved.
But I was out of the prison.
Get up. Get moving.
The little voice had been my only friend. At least after the last girl had been taken. Although the echo of her horrifying screams would never leave.
Every muscle ached to the point the moment I tried to stand, I fell hard on my hands and knees. Despair clouded my mind as the tears forming in my eyes did with my vision.
There was no reprieve from the terror, but I willed myself to push forward. Inch by inch, I crawled before I was able to struggle to my feet, leaning against a gnarled tree. The first light of dawn had crested over the horizon, the darkness drifting into shadows.
More monsters.
One. Two. Three. Four.
He’s trudging through the swamp, hungry for more.
No. No!
