Betty
I opened my eyes to find sunlight pouring through hotel curtains and regretted it instantly. Every part of me was sore. My feet hurt from where I had cut them running through the forest. The cuts on my arms and face were burning.
But I was free. I was safe.
I slowly sat up and gazed at the hotel room. I felt panic for a second there. Where was I? Then I remembered. Michael had brought me here. He was in the next room.
I rose and limped to the bathroom. I hardly recognized myself in the mirror. My hair was matted with leaves and twigs. My arms had turned to bruise where Duke had gripped me. My face was scratched and red and angry.
I looked as though I’d been through hell. Because I had been.
I took a long shower and allowed the hot water to remove all the dirt and blood. But no
