She took a deep breath in, and then out, and then in again. She would not be a helpless little lamb. If this psychopath intended to kill her, she would go out swinging. She heard his footsteps downstairs, walking through the rubble of the building. The steps echoed and eventually faded, maybe even leaving.
not Looking around for something close to her, she noted a sharp rock under a pile of dust and plaster. She leaned over ever so quietly and stretched her arms as far as she could toward the rock. Snagging the corner, she pulled it closer, the edge scraping on the floor.
She froze and waited to see if the man, Zaid, would come running back up the stairs, but the room remained silent. Picking up the piece, she brought it close and tucked it between her palms, using the zip-tie to wedge i
