Because Addis had sunk so deeply into the fantasy of believing Em had escaped, the man’s gruff, gravelly voice had the same effect as an ice bucket of water being splashed over her. Her muscles were beyond weak from lack of food or water, not to mention the all-too-paralyzing numbness of her situation, but too frightened to do anything else, she nonetheless did her best to obey.

But it was a fruitless effort as she lost against gravity once, twice, then three times. As her legs collapsed beneath her yet again, something shifted inside her, and it took her a second to recognize it as fury. Why was she giving up? Why was she acting as if her death was a foregone conclusion? Where had her will to survive gone? You’re stronger than you know, Addis Penn Kensington. Aunt Grace’s consistent advice anytime Addis came to her with one of her struggles filtered through the white noise of the wind through the trees, giving her a renewed strength, mentally at least.

Fortified with fresh resolve, she hugged one of the trees and used it to help her stay upright. But even as her knees locked into place, she knew as soon as she released the trunk, she would be kissing the damp earth once more. She managed a few shuffling steps before she tripped over her own two feet and went sprawling forward, just barely managing to catch the brunt of the fall with her arms instead of her face. Battling against the scream building in her throat, Addis realized her will to continue fighting for survival had been short-lived.

Get up, Addis. Right now. Keep fighting.

Aunt Grace’s voice was more muffled in her memory this time, so Addis told it to shut up. Grief mixed with anger as she told her aunt she had nothing left. If you really wanted me to keep fighting, you would’ve found a way to save me already. But you didn’t, and I’m too tired and too weak to care anymore, so just leave me alone and let me die.

One minute she was giving up, and the next, the man was squatting in front of her so he could swoop her up into his arms. Her terrified scream was muffled when the man shoved her face against his shoulder so hard that her teeth cut into her lips.

‘Quiet!’ His abrupt order was full of menace. They’d only gone a few steps when he stumbled. His arms tightened as he toppled forward, and Addis knew she was about to hit the ground again; only this time, it would be with the full brunt of this man’s weight bearing down on her.