Present

Mary-Allison Flagstone

Hanson reels back, holding his neck after he removes the twig from his throat. Blood flows between his fingers. Anger paints itself across his face, and his eyes penetrate me. But I have nowhere to run. I was only able to free one arm and the chains are impossible to break or loosen further.

“You idiot, have you learned nothing?”

Hanson removes his hand from his neck, there is no wound, only blood staining the area.

“You ...