Bound by the Darkness

PROLOGUE

A cold, suffocating abyss.

Lungs screamed, bones frozen to the core, only black endlessness extending around. A burning sensation on her forehead betrayed a gush across that had her disoriented, yet an involuntary inhale of liquid cleared all confusion.

She tried to move, forced a broken wrist to her stomach, fingers whining as she pushed on her abdomen lightly. Moving fast, the other grabbed the belt holding her shackled like a prisoner and tugged with all her might, willing it to come undone, but in vain. Her vision as the seconds passed became more blurred, losing focus in the darkness till she noticed red bloom in the space next to her.

One blink and it had spread closer, carrying a claustrophobic feeling on its tips. She focused on the ailing emotion and the fear it brought, pushing away the grief and pain and sorrow that came with the source of the color that lay underneath.

Touching her unable hand first, scarlet crawled ominously to the sweatshirt covering her belly, painting it crimson as it continued its path.

She ripped her gaze from it, slamming a palm on the bulletproof glass, once, then twice, again and again, the air leaving her chest in pockets of oxygen with a muffled cry.