My mouth is bone dry and my eyes feel gritty. I have no idea how long I’ve been here. Calling out again doesn’t feel like a smart choice, so I carefully move my arm off of my leg. My right arm is tucked under my knees and feels dead, so I start with the easy things first. Left arm slowly reaching over my head, I flex my cheeks. Pins and needles break out everywhere I test, tickling at first but then burning like I’ve pressed them all into Mum’s fire pit. I bite my lips to keep from making a sound and move. I force the pain into my breath and release it through my nose so I won’t groan.

Once the worst of the pain is over I force my left leg to unstick from its partner and extend it downward. The pain rages and my breath becomes ragged, but still I keep silent. Moving my right side is going to be so much worse. Rather than risk too much, I shift onto my back, going slowly so I won’t clench some muscles before I am ready. The tingles that are already racing over my right side warn me of what is to come.

Using my left hand I clumsily stuff the neck of my shirt into my mouth and bite down. One deep breath in and out and I press my right leg over. I can’t quite stop the whimper that escapes, but I let the pain carry me away into its centre. A cramp hits my thigh so hard that I sob quietly through the cotton. Still, I make my foot point, force my leg straight. As soon as the pain is manageable I move my right arm. Focusing only on them, I fight the pain down by promising my body that it will be worth it. That we will make it out of this.

A long time later I lie spent. Sweaty and shivery I take a second to just breathe in relief. I’m not entirely pain free as my left hand still throbs, and my mind shies away from why that is. Instead, I comb through my memories. I’d been with Troy. I know that someone has taken me, but I haven’t seen who, and time has no meaning. I feel shaky, weak and so damn hungry it isn’t funny so I know it’s been a while.

Mum and Stacey would be seriously freaking out. Tace was right, I should’ve stayed home. Tears threaten before I push them back.