Through the branches, she saw that the sun was climbing higher in the sky. She’d watched it rise, knew which direction was east, not that it helped her much as she had no idea where she was, couldn’t conceive of where she would find civilization. But at least she was convinced she wasn’t walking in circles. She was able to limp with the aid of a stick, and with each torturous step she put as much distance as she could between herself and the prick who had abducted her. Sick bastard. God, she wished she’d killed him. Maybe, by now, Chloe had finished him off.

Zoe’s heart twisted.

Chloe.

Where was she?

Safe?

Or on the run like Zoe?

“Please, God, no,” Zoe whispered through cracked lips. She pressed her fingertips to them and found them encrusted, probably with mud. Maybe even some dried blood mixed in, too. She was still naked but sunburned and bitten by mosquitoes or whatever creepy crawly things had found her bare skin.

Light-headed from the lack of food, water, and sleep, she stopped and listened again, leaned on her stick, and strained to hear. Over the sounds of insects buzzing and a toad croaking, she heard the hum of traffic, wheels spinning over asphalt. Her heart soared.

She would make it.

She’d get to that damned road and flag someone down, someone who would drive her to safety. Tears welled in her eyes and she dashed them quickly away as if anyone here in this godforsaken lowland forest could see her. She’d spent a night listening to bats and owls, looking out for gators and even bears, but finally, she was about to be rewarded. She was going to make it.

But, damn it, she couldn’t tell how far away the road was.

A mile?

Two?

Five?

She wasn’t certain, but she’d get there, pushing through pain, thirst, and hunger. She just had to keep heading in the direction of the sound of engines and tires.

Through the lacy branches overhead she spied an egret sailing in the blue sky, long-necked and snowy white, flying gracefully. She almost smiled as she hobbled forward and brushed the gauze of a spiderweb out of her face.

Maybe she would reach the road in fifteen minutes.

Or it could take an hour.

She wouldn’t let herself think that it would be any longer. Surely she’d find civilization long before nightfall and not have to spend another frightening night alone in the wilderness.

Gritting her teeth, she headed toward the sound.

Somewhere in the far distance she heard a dog barking. Rapid, thunderous barks, as if it had picked up the scent of an animal it was tracking. Poor beast, she thought, relating to the fox or duck or whatever the hound was tracking.

The dog’s cries seemed to get louder and . . . closer. Her heart stopped as a horrifying thought slithered through her brain.