I woke up in a dim, dank cell. Yes, one of the kinds they keep prisoners in. Damp, gray cobblestones jammed into my backside as I stared up at the ceiling, fear having drained my energy.

That left the inevitable questions:

Where the hell am I? and How did I get here?

You might be asking yourself that too, and expecting an explanation from me, but I honestly don't know either. I don't remember how I entered the cell, who dumped me in here, or anything before that.

I do dimly recall listening to my iPod and reading a particularly captivating book, but nothin' else. That left the question 'Where the hell am I?' out in the open and I wasn't sure if I wanted that question answered.

I mean, I'm a good kid, mostly A's…the incredibly shy bookworm type girl. If so, then why am I in jail?

I decided to find out.

Sitting up, I rubbed my eyes although there wasn't much to see. I squinted without the aid of my glasses –which had vanished- at my cell. Total gray cobblestone room with a lumpy, old mattress on a metal frame, a large ceramic bowl for…bodily functions, and a similar ceramic bowl with water.

I was so breaking out of here. I slid my hands into my pockets to find- nothing. I sucked in an alarmed breath. That wasn't possible! Oh man, those bastards took my iPod, lighter, two keychain-sized pepper sprays, Halloween cosmetics my friend had given me, my scrunchie, a booklet with a compilation of Japanese I'd learned, and a few other things.

Now I was freaking out.

I stood and patted my body down. My only weapon was myself…and the ceramic bowls, lumpy mattress, and metal bed frame. I took deep breaths, trying not to alert possible guards I was conscious and now wired on adrenaline and fear.

No need for them to know.

I ran on my tiptoes in my sneakers –thank whoever I had them- to the wall and neatly pressed myself up against it. My breathing slowed as I reached the front of the cell where the shadows receded and the iron bars ran from the ceiling to floor.

I frowned as my eyes darted to and fro. I was partially relieved the other cells were dark inside, but I heard moaning with the occasional scream. It wasn't pleasant.

Note to self: never get busted and go to prison/jail.

My mouth was dry as I trembled slightly. How did I get here? Where was here? Why was I in here? What had I done to deserve this? I edged back to the farthest wall away from the front and my fingers brushed against a chain link.

I bit my lip as it rattled slightly. It was to chain someone to the wall. Two wrists, in fact. My head swiveled to the front. Had anyone heard? I held my breath, praying no one had.

A silhouette and outline of a mutant figure stood before my cell. Apparently my prayers were being ignored. I stared at the outline, brain going overload. What had a squat outline, scales, wore armor, and carried a sword? Not to mention had a tail and wings.

"I'm glad to see you're awake. We were beginning to think you would not make it," a…snaky, raspy voice hissed, chuckling.

"What are you?" I asked, my voice firmer than I felt. Good, brownie points for me.

I flinched as there was a harsh scraping before a torch beside my cell was lit. I gaped at the abominable thing I saw. It had horns, reptilian eyes, wicked sharp teeth, slits for nostrils, and was covered in scales. It wore dull armor with faint bloodstains on it and an intimidating sword hung at the walking crocodile's side.

I don't think I'd ever been so observant in my entire short life.

"I am a draconian," it purred with a strange, hard-to-understand accent.

Suddenly I knew where I was.

"Shit."