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Chapter One
Rue
Idon’t know what wakes me up. It could be the loud voices that seem out of place. Or maybe it’s the cold that’s seeping into my bones, making my body shake and my teeth chatter. I reach for the duvet, but my hand refuses to cooperate.
I’m not quite awake enough yet to realize that something isn’t right—that I’m not in my bed or even at home, and that the mind-numbing cold is coming from the damp soil beneath me.
Flashes of light flicker around me, but I can’t seem to find the strength to open my eyes. I know I should, but they feel so heavy, and somewhere in the recesses of my brain, a sense of caution tells me to stay where I am, that it’s safer here in the dark.
The sound of barking makes me jolt, and more awareness washes over me, stealing the calmness and letting in the first real tendrils of panic.
My body still won’t move, no matter how much I tell it to, and breathing is becoming harder and harder.
It takes me a few moments to realize my face is pressing against something—something that’s stopping me from sucking in clean air. I try to turn my head, but nothing happens. More panic sets in, and voices draw closer.
My face feels wet, but I can’t tell if it’s from tears or something else. Nothing makes sense. I try to focus on the last thing I remember, hoping it will tell me where I am, but there is nothing there—not a single memory. It’s as if someone simply picked up a broom and swept them all away.
My chest is burning now; the lack of oxygen makes my head pulse. One clear thought pushes its way to the forefront of my mind:I’m going to die.
I’m going to die right here and now if I don’t move.
Somehow, I find the strength to turn my head. It’s barely an inch, but it’s enough for me to suck in a breath.
I cough, inhaling more than just air, my ribs protesting as I gag.
I pray I don’t throw up, knowing I’ll choke for sure. When I finally get my coughing under control, something else catches my attention. Something that feels like tiny little taps on my cheek.Rain.
It’s raining. Which means I’m outside. My other senses start to come around. I ignore the pain, unable to pinpoint where the worst of it is coming from, and focus on everything else.
What do I feel?
Cold. Wet. My fingers twitch. Something soft and damp moves beneath them.
I breathe in, and this time, thankfully, I don’t choke.
What can I smell?
Earth.
My fingers twitch again as more words flash in my head.
Soil. Dirt. Mud.
The rain falls harder, making me gasp.
I can hear shouting now, and the barking is getting louder.
The beam of light flashes over me again, and this time, I force my eyes open.
The rain makes it impossible for me to see anything, but somehow, it makes me feel less helpless.
Now, I just need to find my voice.
I will the words to spill free, forcing a scream up my throat, but barely a whisper escapes.
“Help.”
I cough again, swallowing down the rain and dirt. It’s almost enough to make me give up.
