Katie Holmes

Prologue

Prologue

Her breathing was ragged. Her dark hair hung in greasy strands over her shoulders. Her head was down.

With her eyes closed, she could pretend she was home, in a bright room surrounded by the people she loved, instead of in a dark cell, bound to a metal chair with chains. She could also think; she was good at that. She often put herself in her father's shoes. How would he put the pieces together? How long would it take him?

As the door slid open, the grating sound of metal on concrete making her cringe, the dark haired girl lifted her head and watched the man coming in. She could only see his silhouette, since he kept her in the dark, until someone turned the lights on. She blinked. He had a round face, a crazy look in his eye, and always looked slightly amused.

He closed the door and took his time circling her. She straightened her back and stared straight ahead. No fear. No fear. Her heart was beating uncontrollably, fluttering like a hummingbird.

He could tell. He knew everything about her. He'd watched her since her birth, and studied her father before that. Their personalities were basically the same, although as a child and a girl there were basic differences.

Click. Clack. Click. Clack.

Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.

The girl heard a watch along with his shoes, and caught the time. It was impossible to know the time in her cell, since her sleeping schedule had never been normal in the first place, but his watch said it was three o five. AM or PM, she couldn't guess. But it was a place to start.

He dragged his hand across the back of the chair, tickling the back of her neck. She didn't react. It was easy to keep from reacting now, after being in his care for several weeks.

He stopped beside her ear, unrepulsed by her body odor or greasy hair. "Tell me what I want to know, and you can leave."

She stayed silent. Saying anything would betray her family, and she could never do that.

"I don't want to hurt you," he said. She mentally scoffed, and stayed quiet. "Maybe another day without food will change your mind."

She didn't respond, although at the mention of food her stomach contracted. He left without another word. Her head fell and she sighed. Her dad had to be close. She'd been gone too long.

Her green eyes flashed. Those thoughts were thoughts of giving up. She was not giving up.