Saved

DESTINY

The man was gone for what seemed an eternity, and I wished he would disappear from the face of the earth. Just leave me here, forget about me. Someone would eventually find me. But, of course, he came back.

My bladder was fit to burst and upon seeing him, the need became more urgent. “I… I need the bathroom.”

He rolled his eyes at me. But he bent down to cut my ankles loose. I considered kicking him in the face, but quickly changed my mind because he held the box cutter up to my face.

“Don’t be a hero, Missus. I wouldn’t like to cut you.” He hauled me to my feet, shoving me toward the bathroom.

“Are you going to let me go?” I hated the squeakiness in my voice.

His response was curt. “Shut up and do your business. We have to move.”

***

Outside, the icy wind whipped against my body, and I shivered uncontrollably. More from fear than from cold. Smith opened the van’s back door and unceremoniously dumped me inside. I landed on my shoulder with a grunt. With a sudden sharp pain and