67 - Taken

Ava

Everything hurts. My mouth is dry, tongue scratching against the roof. My lungs are tight, every breath a struggle. I fight to open my eyes, but my head is pounding and I’m reluctant. I just want to curl up, burying beneath the covers and sleep. Am I in a bed?

I frown as my eyes adjust. I peer out at the world. It’s grey, darker than I expected. But what did I expect? Where am I? I try to stretch out and realise that I can’t. Maybe that’s why my chest and lungs hurt so much. My arms are bound behind me, locked at the wrists and elbows.

I struggle, trying to fight against the rising sense of panic. What has happened. Where am I? I feel sick, as though I’ve drunk too much tequila before falling into bed. I’ve never been so thirsty and my head feels as though someone is hitting it with drumsticks. I close my eyes again. I need to focus.

Sore head, dehydration, memory loss, confusion....I go through my symptoms and feel the bile rise in my stomach again. I really am going to be si