Laney woke to the sound of shouting in the room beyond her dark space, although the sound seemed hallow and distant, as if it were miles away. She sensed that she’d been taken underground into a cellar. No windows, the low ceiling, the musty smell all around her—it all made sense. She wished she understood the language her captors spoke, maybe she’d fear less—or maybe she’d have more to fear.
Her head was clearer now, which seemed to make her panic more acute. Her discomfort couldn’t have been more real. Her bound body ached so much that she was practically numb, and when she tried to call out, she realized that her mouth was still covered with duct tape, silencing her distress. Tears formed in her eyes as the reality of the situation challenged her sanity. There was no recourse but hope,
