She tried to drink slowly to give him less of a thrill, but she sucked down the whole bottle in seconds. He carried the empty bottle over to a garbage bag and tucked it inside, then he took a bottle over to Braithe. Rainy heard the seal on the lid snap before he bent over her with the water. She couldn’t tell if Braithe was conscious enough to drink, but after a few seconds he stood up, setting the bottle on the table above her head. Was this really happening? Yes, because you made it happen. She didn’t want to look at him. She’d been staring into his eyes less than twenty seconds ago and it had been a hollow experience. She suddenly felt exhausted. She leaned her head against the pole behind her and closed her eyes.

When she woke, the window on the wall above Braithe was dark. She had the strong urge to pee, and her mouth was so dry she had to work her tongue free of her teeth. What time was it? He must have put something in her water.

“Braithe...are you awake?” Her voice cracked; she scooted her butt forward in an attempt to get her blood moving and tented her knees. “Braithe...I need you to wake up,” she called louder. No answer.

“Hey! Hey! Can anyone hear me? Help! Help!” She rocked against the table, trying to move it, but Rainy knew it was no use; it was bolted down. “Hey!” she yelled again. “Help us!

“Braithe!” she called. “Wake up! We need to get out of here.”

“You can’t.” The words preceded his footsteps like he’d been just around the corner, listening. Rainy went so still she could hear her own raspy breath. A few seconds later, Paul walked into view, carrying a large paper bag that smelled of food.

“This—” he said, after setting the bag on the table that separated her from Braithe “—is in the new wing of the hotel. Construction is only set to resume in a few months, and by then we will be long gone, won’t we, B?” He tossed his keys on the counter. “No one can hear you, Rainy—these professional kitchens are well insulated. Chefs like to be able to scream at their kitchen staff without the dining room hearing.” As he spoke, he stacked containers on the table, his movements fast and jerky. Rainy could smell him from where she sat. Had he just left a shift?