CHAPTER 18
Maddie shouted in triumph. Her fingers were raw and sore and there’d be blisters, but she’d destroyed the lock. Her jaw ached from grinding her teeth while straining to pop the mechanism, and the tinny taste of blood spread through her mouth, making her gag.
Her little penknife had fallen to the dirty floorboards, disappearing into shadow. She scrabbled around and found it, scarred but more precious than ever, and returned it to her pocket. With shaking hands, she slid the lock off the metal tab.
Pulling up the hinged piece of plywood, she peered out into the night. Fresh air and freedom!
With a surge of energy, she pushed her head and shoulders out the opening, but the heavy plywood flap fell against her back, digging into her skin, getting caught against the waistband of h
