Chapter 22

• “I know where you are, puppy. Why don’t you come out and do me a favor? I don’t want to have to drag you out from under there. It’s no fun if I have to do that.” There’s a sneer of venomous hatred in his voice, and I imagine the way his face curls into a sadistic grin, glaring my way through the darkness. Enjoying every moment of this.
• He drops her lifeless form on the floor with a dull thud, her body splaying her arms out in a star shape, and I recoil, tears blurring my vision as I try to make myself as small as I can back here. Whimpering internally.
• I don’t know what to do. I’m petrified, and if Vanka was no match for this thing, then I’m not either. I don’t know how to fight; I’ve never had to. I’m not a warrior or even aggressive. I’m nothing, a reject from a farmer’s family who is worth nothing to no one.