Uncovering You: The Contract Read Free Page A

twitches up in a hint of a smile. I called his bluff. But, I’m not home free yet. The veiled wall is another thirty-odd paces away from me.
    I take two more steps forward, and, when nothing happens, start to walk more briskly.
    My stroll is cut short by a sharp little zap beneath my left ear.
    Color me surprised. It looks like the collar does have bite, after all.
    I tense and wait for more.
    When a second jolt doesn’t come, I can’t stop my smile from becoming a satisfied smirk. I knew the collar couldn’t possible have enough juice to hurt me. Where would the battery go?
    Extremely pleased with myself, I venture onward, toward the curtain and its promise of freedom.
    The violent torrent of electricity blindsides me. One second I’m on my feet, the next I’m writhing on the floor.
    The current pours into me. I thrash about like a grounded fish. Fierce convulsions rock my body. And all I know is pain, pain, pain .
    I can feel the source of it, snug around my neck. I’m helpless to fight the onslaught. My head flails about on the ground, throwing hair into my face. A high-pitched squeal sounds in my ears and I desperately hope that pathetic sound is not me.
    My eyes roll up and all goes black.
     

Chapter Two
    (Present day - October 2013)
     
    I wake with a gasp and bolt upright.
    Water. I need water !
    As my groggy brain starts to recognize my surroundings, I feel sick. I can’t stop the reflex. I turn to my side and hurl. I vomit until the full contents of my stomach are spewed up. It’s not enough. My guts keep contracting, making me dry-heave again, and again, and again.
    Bile burns my throat. Tears stream down my face. My back is covered in sweat. I feel so weak. So pathetic. I gag on the putrid smell and endure another attack. It feels like my stomach is turning itself inside out. My insides hurt .
    When the final convulsion subsides, and I’m sure the worst is over, I collapse onto my side. I bring my knees up and curl into a little ball, holding my arms tight over my chest. It’s the most protective position I know.
    The stink of my vomit is all around me. It’s so bad I almost start puking again. I roll to the other side to get away.
    I’m shocked when I see the marble pillar inches from my nose. I was so far away when I blacked out…
    That means somebody came in here and moved me .
    Even more revolting than the stench is the thought of the author of that letter laying his hands on me. I start to cry. What else did he do to me while I was unconscious?
    My blouse is a wet mess of sweat. My cheeks are stained with tears. I can’t get away from the smell. Breathing through my mouth is no better. It brings attention to the taste of vomit on my tongue.
    It’s a wonder I haven’t pissed myself yet.
    Cope. I can’t cope. I can’t deal with this.
    You can, a strong voice tells me. You’ve done it before. Remember?
    I close my eyes and drift away to a place where the pain isn’t so bad…
     

Chapter Three
    (Eleven years ago – 2002)
     
    It’s summer. I’m twelve. Mom and her boyfriend are off at the lake house. I’m exploring the woods nearby. Out here, I can be anybody.
    I pretend I’m a famous explorer, discovering a new land for the first time. The trees over there bear exotic fruit that are blue like the sky and taste like caramel. The shrubs across the field are actually a mother fox’s den. She has five pups to care for from her last litter. They’re always hungry, so she lives close by to feed them the fruit.
    I start climbing a small crest, scrambling over rocks to get to the top. The valley on the other side is going to be blooming with beautiful flowers. I just know it. I reach the peak…
    And am caught by surprise at the strange stone structure in the distance.
    I drop the branch I’ve been using as a walking stick and rush over. Stumbling upon something real like this is a thrill unimagined!
    My little feet carry me forward quickly, sandals slapping against the ground. I come to a