The stairs ended and more concrete flashed beneath her, as well as several pairs of feet. She was carried into a well-lit room and unceremoniously thrown to the floor. Tears of pain filled her eyes, but she forced them away and struggled to lift her head.

The room was a large one, like an open basement complete with cement floor. A glowing chandelier hung above her and in front of her sat a large wicker chair. Draped lazily in it was a young man who might have been sixteen. ...