The next week was spent jouncing along more unkept roads. Megan pried at the lock holding her cage closed. She jerked it in frustration and sat back.

Suddenly, something inside clicked. She scooted over to the lock and cupped her hands around it. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath. It felt like cold tendrils were pushing through her skin and into the latch.

When she opened her eyes, shadows were receding into her skin and the lock clicked open. She pulled back her hands to reveal the open latch. Gasping, she carefully removed the lock and pushed on the door. It swung open. She chuckled in surprise. Scanning the train, she found no one watching her. She had one chance. Tossing the lock into the corner, she leapt out of the wagon, rolling across the unforgiving ground.

By the time she skidded to a stop, her whole body was dusty and bruised. A gash oozed blood on her forehead. Everything ached as she rose to her feet.

The train hadn't stopped. They hadn't noticed she was missing yet. Taking the opportunity, she bolted, heading for a distant tree line.

Something collided with her from behind and they both toppled forward, rolling across the grass.

A heavy man yanked her to her feet. "Where do you think you're going?"

Megan struggled.

He tightened his grip on her hair, jerking it harshly. "I asked you a question."

Megan glared at him. As he opened his mouth to speak, she spat in his face.

Growling, he slapped her across the face, his ringed fingers cutting into her cheek. He grabbed her by the collar and dragged her back to the cage. Hurling her inside, he slammed the door shut.

He spotted the lock in the corner. "How did you do that?" He called over another man and pulled her out of the wagon.

She dropped five feet to the ground, smashing her knees against the ground.

"This one needs a search." He kicked Megan in the right leg, knocking her onto her side.

The other man jerked her up and threw her against the bars. He yanked her ponytail loose and raked his rough fingers through her hair. Then he pulled her leather jacket off and shook it. A knife fell out.

The man dropped the coat and slammed her against the bars. He patted her down, finding another dagger in her boot. Turning her around, he searched her front, lingering on her chest.

Megan kicked him in the stomach, sending him stumbling backwards.

The large man shoved her into the bars, pressing her back into the rough metal. His arm pressed against her shoulders.

The other man pushed the large man aside and grabbed Megan's collar with both hands slamming her against the bars. "You're going to pay for that."

Megan glared at him, looking him straight in the eye. "Make me."