IT HAD TAKEN HER HOURS, but Kristin had finally managed to remove the middle board in the window. Unfortunately the space was only four inches high and two feet across, not big enough for her to squeeze through, but at least she could get some idea of where she was. As far as she could tell she was in some kind of guardhouse halfway down a cliff. The undergrowth on the cliff was unkempt and wild, which made her think that nobody ever came to this building. Several hundred feet below her was the ocean, and there seemed to be no other properties in sight.
She’d tried desperately to pry the rest of the window boards loose, but after a while she’d given up. It was impossible. Her hands were cut and bleeding, and there was a gash on her arm. She was lucky to have gotten the middle board out of there without breaking a bone.
Being able to look out and get some idea of where she was struck her as a major triumph.
What she couldn’t figure out was why she’d allowed herself to be led down a dangerous cliffside blindfolded. She must have been crazy. One false step and she could’ve fallen hundreds of feet to her death.
Little lamb goes quietly to the slaughter.
What kind of a monster was Mister X anyway? she asked herself. Did he get a sexual kick out of this? Whatever. Clearly his motives were evil. He was evil.
The good thing was that she no longer felt like a victim. She had a plan and a weapon, and even though she was hungry and thirsty, she was determined to remain strong.
Now that she had some light, she could explore the room properly. Not that there was much to explore—bare floorboards, the bed, one sheet that she was now wearing, and nothing else.
She’d thought long and hard about what she would do if and when Mister X returned, and she’d finally decided her only move was to take him by surprise, try to knock him out, and escape. If she could do that and make it to the highway, she’d be able to summon help.
The thought of Cherie depending on her gave her strength.
Her inner voice had stopped screaming vile things in her head. Now it urged her to be strong.
Don’t be frightened. You can do it. You’re a survivor.
Yes. She was. And she would survive.
Of that she was sure.