Page 22 (1/2)

"Alright," I answered, opening the door "Go ahead," I added,

I didn't have to wait long

It would have been dumb for her not to try, after all What prisoner didn't try at least once to escape?

The door closed, the water went on, and thejacked open

I slipped back around the corner of the house as she carefully popped out the screen, then wedged her body out, pausing, then throwing her weight forward

Clearly, the woer

Because if I hadn't stepped out and grabbed her, she'd have fallen on her head

A gasp, shriek hybrid caught in her throat—shock and fear ot her breath back, her body wiggling, trying to break free

"It orth a try, right, sweetheart?" I asked, turning her, pressing her back against the house, hands on her shoulders "What's the matter?" I asked when she whimpered

"I hurt"No, don't touch me," she snapped when I stooped down

"Just twisted," I decided after feeling it

"What are you, no," she snapped when I dropped down a bit to scoop her up, pull her againsters at me

"I a around her

"You say that as though you don't have a say in it"

"Depends a lot on you, Ro started inside the house, thethe bathrooot her," I called as they burst into the room