Chapter 9: Adding salt to the injury

Natalie

I awoke the next morning feeling like I had been trampled by a stampede of actual wild horses. Every inch of my body throbbed and ached, protesting the simplest movements. Even rolling onto my side in the rickety bunk sent fresh stabs of pain through my bruised ribs.

Groaning softly, I sat up and gingerly probed the lump on my temple where my head had been smashed cruelly against the hard ground. The swelling had gone down some, but the area was crusted with dried blood and exquisitely tender.

My memories of last night's vicious ambush in the dark were hazy, blurred by panic and pain. But Lucas' handsome, cruel face flickering in the shadows was seared into my mind's eye. He had orchestrated the whole thing - I was utterly certain.

Yet another twisted game of his, designed to humiliate and terrify me into complete submission. Clamping down on the raw fury that threatened to choke me, I focused on simply getting to my feet. Survival first. Vengeance later.

I washed and dressed