The world had become a dark, shaking nightmare. Ace lay curled on the cold, hard floor of the SUV, his cheek pressed against rough rubber matting that smelled of oil and dirt. Thin, plastic zip-ties were wound so tightly around his wrists that he could feel his own pulse throbbing against them, a painful reminder of his captivity. Every bump and turn the vehicle made slammed his already bruised body against the floor, leaving him aching and helpless.
Next to him in the darkness, he could hear the frightened, shaky breaths of Evelyn, Silva, and Kaito. They were all there, all captured. The heavy weight of a boot planted firmly on his back by one of their captors was a constant message: Do not move. You are nothing.
