130

I soon tried to crawl away, but my limbs felt heavy and unresponsive. My head was spinning, and I couldn't focus. Suddenly the bulkier intruder's footsteps echoed in the small room as he approached. The other three blocked any possible escape route, their menacing figures casting long shadows in the dim light, was there even light? I could barely see a thing at this point.

The bulky intruder reached down and grabbed me by the arm, his grip like iron. He yanked me to my feet, and I cried out in pain. My vision blurred with tears, and I felt like I was going to faint.

"Shut her up," one of the others snapped. The bulkier man raised his hand, and I braced myself for the impact, but it never came. Instead, he shoved me against the wall, holding me there with one hand while he brandished the axe with the other.

My mind raced, trying to think of anything that might save me. I couldn't shift, I couldn't call for help, and I couldn't fight back. The panic was overwhelming, and I could barely