39
GROTESQUE
State Route 14, Crystal Springs, Nevada, approximately 493 miles west of Parkfield, California
As Jana regained consciousness, she found herself in a world of pain. Everything burned, her throat, lungs, eyes, and much of her skin. Drawing in air was painful. Her chest felt like it was made out of wood. Her vision blurred and she felt a pain in her left hand as if she was being jabbed by something sharp. As she tried to recoil against it, she found her hands cuffed behind her back.
Rafael laughed. “Starting to wake up, I see. That’s more than I can say for your two friends. I doubt they will ever wake up again. You have me to thank, you know. I pulled you out of that vehicle as soon as you were unconscious. You didn’t get exposed to a fraction of what your friends did.”
Ja
