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The anger helps hold back the panic I’ in the dark, but I can feel

Moving quietly, I carefully start exploringon a bed A big bed, probably king-sized There are pillows and a blanket, and the sheets are soft and pleasant to the touch Likely expensive

For some reason, that scaresto the edge of the bed, I sit up, holding the blanket tightly around me My bare feet touch the floor It’s smooth and cold to the touch, like hardwood

I wrap the blanket around me and stand up, ready to do further exploration

At that ht coht, I’m blinded for a minute I blink a few times, and my eyes adjust

And I see hiel His hair curls a little around his face, softening the hard perfection of his features His eyes are trained on ht s

My instincts had been right--this

"Hello, Nora," he says softly, entering the roo that could serve as a weapon

My h saliva to talk So I just watch hier approaches its prey

I aht if he touches me

He comes closer, and I take a step back Then another and another, until I’ in the blanket

He lifts his hand, and I tense, preparing to defenda bottle of water and offering it to ured youof thirst, but I don’t want hiain

He seems to understand my hesitation "Don’t worry, my pet It’s just water I want you awake and conscious"

I don’t kno to react to that My heart is ha in my throat, and I feel sick with fear