Page 1 of Alpha Fate

Chapter 1

Savannah

A harsh metallic clang is the sound that rouses me from sleep. Or maybe “sleep” is the wrongword.

Unconsciousness. I’ve barely been conscious since I got here.

The men have been down again. Wherever “down” may be. Hell, maybe it’s up. Wherever I am, it’s dark. Clammy. The dank smell that had almost overwhelmed me when I first arrived still hangs in the air. I guess I’m used to it now. Water drips. It’s the only sound that I’ve heard here. I’m alone – I’m sure of it. There hasn’t been the sound of a living soul stuck down here with me since I arrived.

“Hello?” I call out. The sound of boots recedes into the distance. “Are you there?”

Geez, girl!

Why would I call out to him? If it’s even him at all. It’s been a couple of days since the big male came in here. At least, I think it’s been days. It’s hard to mark the passage of time when the light never changes, and my mind is so foggy.

I push myself up into a sitting position, trying to ignore the way my head spins.

Shit.

It doesn’t just spin, it throbs. Thank God it’s dark. Light would blind me. My body hurts everywhere, but it’s the dry rasping in my throat that has my attention now. The desperation I feel…like every cell in me is crying out.

Thirst.

I recognize the signs of dehydration. They barely feed me, but it’s the thirst that bothers me the most.

Did they bring water?

I reach out, fumbling around me. I find nothing.

Where is the water?

They normally put a bowl down within reach of my searching fingers – at least, that’s what he does. A freaking dog bowl – like a damned pet. These other ones – the ones who’ve been coming since he’s been away – they put it anywhere that amuses them.

Unless they forgot!

“Hello!”

There’s no answer. I’m still fumbling around me and finding nothing.

Maybe they’re doing this deliberately.Paranoia kicks in.

They’re trying to kill me!

Slowly. I’m going to be left here to rot in this stinking place. To die of hunger and thirst and be consumed by the rats that scurry around me.

Panic surges.

“Damn you!” I yell, barely recognizing my voice. My chest heaves as I gasp in air. My lips are tingling as adrenalin floods me.

Calm down!

I take a deep breath.

My head is still spinning, but I force myself to focus. They wouldn’t just let me die. The big one who usually comes to me says I have a purpose. He says…says that I am his. As much as I resist that idea, it’s probably the only thing keeping me alive.

Frowning in concentration, I straighten up and reach out again, fingertips moving inch by inch over the cold concrete of the floor.

It takes several long minutes before I touch cool metal. Just on the edge of my reach.

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