Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 45135 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45135 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
He leaned close and picked up her hand. She flicked her gaze between his darker hand and hers.
“Look at me, Neha.”
She did.
“I see this courage in you and I know within you, it runs deep. But that’s not enough. You have to know it’s there. You have to believe you can reach it when the time comes.” He blinked and angled his head to the left. “Does that make sense? Do you understand what I am telling you?”
The flap of a bird snapped her back to the present situation. She couldn’t see it when she looked up and around.
“I understand,” she whispered.
And now she did. Then while she’d said she had, it hadn’t truly been what she understood. Now, she did. It hadn’t been solely on something for a submarine, but he was coaching her on life, showing her she had the courage and strength to face anything. Any and all adversity that came her way but no matter how much others may believe in her, if she didn’t have that, it wouldn’t matter.
The calmness settling over her was eerie in a way. Her world narrowed and she ignored the discomfort. She would find a way out of this and get back to her life. She would fucking survive this because that’s what she did. She was a survivor. She was not going to roll over and die.
It took a bit of time but she got to her knees only to flop back over on her side. She wasn’t strong enough yet. Working herself back to a seated position, she inched her way along the floor. She used her hands behind her to check for anything that could hurt her, the last thing she needed was more injuries. But she had to find out where she was being held.
The wall at her back didn’t necessarily make her feel any better, but as she’d found it, she tried once more to get up. First to her knees and then all the way up, using the support behind to assist.
There was no give in the zip strips around her ankles or wrists so short of finding something sharp to cut them with, she was fucked.
And why can’t I breathe better in here?
That was her main concern. It still felt as if she had a herd of elephants sitting on her chest and she wasn’t a fan of this fact. She was in good shape, ran, worked out and didn’t do a lot that was bad for her. This was an unpleasant sensation.
She went back to her knees, wheezing more. The particulates in the air got thicker and with a weakened cough, she passed out once more.
The straps were the only things keeping her upright when she came to. She’d been put in a chair and from the scent in the air, she was still in the same place. Chin to her chest she willed away her discomfort.
Granted this time, she had her wrists secured to the arms of the chair and her feet were free. But the straps around her midsection and shoulders let her know she wasn’t going to be sprinting off anytime soon.
Right now, her plan would remain, stay calm and conserve energy.
One that was severely tested when she heard footsteps moving toward her. She didn’t bother opening her eyes, she couldn’t see for shit in here. She’d never been good with not trying to see it all. So she opened them.
Nope. Nothing.
Was it better to not see your death coming? Or would she be happier to see someone about to end her life?
Not thoughts to be focused on right now.
“Who are you and what do you want with me?”
“Who I am isn’t important right now.”
The voice was altered so she couldn’t get a bead on who it was, if she knew the person or not.
“Okay then.” She licked her overly dry lips. “What do you want with me?”
“You have to learn your place but I don’t think you will. So while I want to fuck you and torture you. I’ll probably end up killing you.”
“Why?”
I will not give in to my fear. I will keep him talking and do what I can to prolong my chances of survival.
“Why what?”
“Why me?”
She couldn’t help the flinch that she gave when a large hand settled on her shoulder in a bruising grip.
“Because you’re one of those.”
What the fuck does that mean?
“I’m going to take it that being one of those is a bad thing.” She didn’t bother making it a question, but went with a statement.
“For you, yes.”
“Why do you not let me see who you are? If I’m spending the last of my days with you, won’t I know soon enough?”
There was a thick silence for a while then the light popped on, off to the side so it wasn’t blinding her but at least allowed her to see the floor and her feet. Was that corn particles by her shoes?