The men dragged me back to the van and threw me in.
My tailbone came down hard on the steel bed. The air in the van smelled of musk and rotten meat.
I wasn’t going out like this. I scrambled to get my legs under me. I punched and connected with the guy closest to me. He stumbled out of the van in pain, grabbing his jaw. I launched myself at him, but it was too late.
I didn’t see it coming. A fist connected with the side of my head. Pain exploded from my temple. The van door closed and I collided with it. I collapsed into a clump, pain shot down my neck, and my whole body tingled.
The guy with the hairy arm leans down close. He pulls one of my eyes up.
“Night night.” He grins. I recoil at his foul breath before a tiny pinprick bit me on the neck and my entire world went black.
* * *
The smellof urine and mildew made me nauseous as I woke up. I rolled over and threw up on the floor. I roll away from the retched smell.
My stomach turned again.
“No.” I said out loud. My voice echoed off the walls. It was pitch black. I held my hand up, wincing from the pain. I couldn’t see anything. My whole body ached.
I pushed myself up to a sitting position, my stomach rolled again.
Something crawled over my leg.
I lost it.
I screamed. I felt like I was screaming in my own head, the sound bounced off the walls in a weird way. I screamed louder.
I felt air from one side and I crawled towards it.
“Help.” I hated the panic in my voice. “Someone help me. I’m down here.”
I reached up and found a handle. I pulled myself up and yanked on it.
It didn’t budge. I yanked harder.
I yanked until my fingers hurt.
I collapsed back on the ground.
Exhaustion hit me and I was out.
* * *
A steel toeconnected with my stomach. I rolled onto my side and dry heaved, but my stomach was empty.
I opened my eyes, but the light was too bright.
I had no clue of time. How long had I been down here?
The world blurred in front of me.
“Wake up Gracie.” I recognized the voice.
Two other figures stood behind him.
“Where is my son?” I yelled the strength in my voice made me proud.
“My grandson,” the world came into focus. The proud gleam in Papa Scott’s eyes made me sick. “My grandson is a delight. He’s quite a smart kid.”