Chapter 75
THE ENORMOUS EFFORT of resisting the h****n hit took its toll on my body, along with the blow to my face and the sheer terror of what might have been. I collapsed to the floor, struggling to maintain my connection with reality.
‘Simon! Stay with me! Hold on, don’t leave me,’ called Melissa from the bed.
I could sense the fear and the urgency in her voice and knew I needed to stay strong. I looked up at her, still on the bed as she worked at the bindings with her free hand. I nodded and forced myself to stay in the present. I focused all my attention on Melissa and forced out some stilted words, ‘It’s okay Melissa, I’m still here, I’m with you. I just can’t stand up right now. Get yourself free and then go see Bobby.’
Melissa frantically worked herself out of her ropes, leapt
