ALLISON

Is this my fate? To die out here tonight, tied to a tree? I don't want to die.

"Allison!"

My eyes wouldn't stop closing. I was so tired, I hadn't slept in a day for fear that something would come along and kill me in my sleep. I was still alive though.

The voice was in my mind. No one knew where I was. I couldn't shout out. Beginning to cry, I felt the cold dripping of rain on my head. The sun had already set and clouds ensured I was even colder.

Energy was lost completely. The power I used to have was defeated.

Zander, where are you?

*******

"Wake up."

A slap on the cheek arose me. I must have only been asleep for about 30 minutes because it was just as dark, and still raining.

The same man who tied me up ripped off the duck tape on my mouth.

I couldn't do anything but cry. I hate crying in front of other people. It showed I was weak. He already knew I was weak.

"You don't have the energy to shout. Look at you!"

He was laughing at me. My mouth was so dry. I was so hungry. But I knew I couldn't give up on my life. We'd come too far to let it be taken away by the weather and one man.

"That's what you think."

I smiled and spat at him. Anger arousing within him only strengthened my cause. I'd struck a nerve.

"You know what, I think it's you who's the weak one."  He went to strike me again but I screamed as loud as I could before he could do anything.

Then he hit me.