Alisha raised her head, her doe-sized eyes filled with terror and innocence simultaneously, met his gaze.

Shock etched on her face as she struggled to decipher his words, aware they carried more weight than they seemed.

"I said stand up, sweetheart. Did you hear me?" Alex commanded, one eyebrow raised, jaw clenched.

Too weak from standing too long, Alisha felt immobilised.

It wasn't just fatigue, but fear rendering her unable to move; the metallic tang of blood assaulting her senses, the ...