I woke in pain. Hot liquid flowed from my temple down my neck, but I found my hands bound when I tried to wipe it away.
"Hey, hey!" Someone boomed, making me wince. i saw the massive man coming towards me, flanked by four others. "It's about time," He said, roughly rubbing his knuckles into my scalp. I whimpered.
"You sure she's one?" Another man asked.
"Check it out," The leader said, drawing a knife and pressing it between my shoulderblades. I froze. Laughing, the man brought the knife down, splitting my shirt so it exposed my back, then tearing off the remaining fabric, leaving me in nothing but my bra. The men whistled. My cheeks burned.
"A perfect key," The smallest man said as the leader traced my birthmark with the knife's tip. I tried not to move.
"I wonder if she has any other birthmarks," One man said, lerring awfully. Everyone laughed and hooted as the leader slowly slid the knife up my pantlegs, cutting them off. Small stings prickled along my leg, and I knew he had cut too deep. When he began to tug on the pants, easing them down, I brought my leg back and kicked him as hard as I could. He groaned, rolling on the floor and holding his groin.
I was buying time. Precious time.
'Hurry,' I thought to Emergency.
