Chapter 31: A Decent TimeWhether through war or personal terror, our greatest leaps forward often happen when the darkest nightmares come calling.
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Scarlett hung, pinned to the wall by a powerful hand around her neck. The air reeked of alcohol sweat and cheap, stale whiskey. Only a tiny trickle of air made it into her aching lungs.
She watched everything as if it wasn't happening to her, as if it wasn't real. She felt no fear or trepidation at the lack of air in her chest. The hand gripping her throat was not really a threat.
She stared at the calloused fingers holding her in place. Her gaze followed up the hair and tattoo-covered arm until she reached the faded crow at the shoulder. The inky bird flapped its wings in slow motion.
Raspy laughter echoed all around her. She looked
