~~Mira~~
I padded down the back corridor, barefoot, still in my office sweats, my ID card bounced lightly against my chest. The back door creaked slightly when I pushed it open, releasing me into the cool dry air of the night. All the maids must have gone to bed.
Crickets chirped. The wind rustled the trees beyond the compound walls.
I tossed the bag into the bin, brushed my hand together, and turned.
The bushed rustled.
I froze.
Nothing. Just the wind, probably.
I shook my head. “You’re being paranoid again.”
I took one step, then another —
A hand clamped over my mouth.
I was yanked back hard, my scream muffled against a gloved palm. My legs kicked wildly as the ground disappeared beneath me. I tried to twist, bite, anything— my heart thunder so loud, it almost drowned me in pan
