Before I could change my mind, I walked swiftly toward the bed and pulled down the comforter. Then I turned to Reid. “Which side do you sleep on?”

“That one,” he replied.

“Okay.” I walked to the other side. Beneath my robe I wore white pajama pants and an old Iron Maiden T-shirt. Nothing sexy that would entice him. I removed the robe and slid under the covers.

“For crying out loud,” Reid muttered just loud enough for me to hear.

I closed my eyes. The softness of the mattress and pillows made me feel like I was nestling into a cloud.

The sounds of Reid getting ready for bed gave me comfort as I lay there, waiting for sleep to come. Then the movement of the bed as he lay down, and the change under my eyelids when he turned off the lights.

No reason to fear the dark.

Reid was next to me.

Reid would protect me.

I fell into slumber.

“They’re ready for you.”

Strong arms yanked me out of my bed.

How long had I been here? In this room?

They’re ready for you. The words played in my mind.

It was time. I’d be beaten up. Or raped. Then killed. Today would be the end of my life. I’d thought about it these several days I was here, being held captive but fed oddly well. Funny. I’d become numb to the concept.

Until now.

Now, I had to face it.

This would be my last day on earth.

There was no escape.

The person grabbing me was masked.

“Who are you?”

“Doesn’t matter,” he said.

“Where are you taking me?”

“You’ll find out soon enough.”

He led me through what seemed to be a maze of hallways. From the corner of my eye, I spied cages. Women in cages. “Who are they?”

“Not your concern.”

I hadn’t been kept in a cage. Was that a good thing?

God, no. None of this was a good thing.

Saliva pooled in my mouth as my throat got ready to explode. “I’m…” I heaved on the man’s arm.

“Fuck you, bitch!” He let go of me to wipe off my puke.

And I ran.

Where? I had no idea. This place was a carpeted maze. Doors here and there, hallways shifting off in strange directions.

Find a door. Find an escape. Run!

But there was no escape. Each door seemed to lead nowhere, and I had no idea from which direction I had started.

I ran, tears blinding me. Until—

My body hit something hard and I fell to the ground with a thud.

“Another one got away, I see,” a voice said. “I told you it’s a mistake to feed them so well.”

“No, Jim,” said another. “What good is a hunt without strong prey? There’s no challenge.”