79

ORCHID

The twin headlamps pierce the night, growing larger and brighter as the transport vehicle approaches. Soon I can hear the roar of the engine and then the rumble of heavy tires rolling over gravel and hard-packed earth.

When it's a few feet away, the vehicle skids to a stop, kicking up a cloud of dust. The headlights are right in my face now, blinding me and bathing my naked body in light.

Warm drops of blood run down my belly, thighs and arms.

Then comes the ratcheting sound of the handbrake being engaged, and a moment later, the doors on both sides of the vehicle open. Two guards dressed in black combat gear jump out, their heavy boots crunching the ground as they walk over to where I'm sprawled.

"What the hell is that?" the driver hisses.

"Shit, I don't know, but it looks like she took a beating." "Yeah, but how the hell did she end up here?"

I lift my arm weakly towards them and groan, pretending to be in a lot of pain.

The truth is, my wounds are only superficial. Truk was