Prologue

Her eyes opened and saw nothing but pitch blackness at first. Where was she? Slowly, her eyes adjusted to the dreary gloom of the place. It was cold and damp, a cave perhaps. She didn't dare to move for her senses were heightened and could smell the acrid sent of fear coursing through her veins. Carefully, she wrapped her arms around her knees, pulling them tight to her quivering chest. Finally gaining a bit of courage, she turned her head to the left and right, taking in more of her surroundings. She was definitely in a cave but she had no recollection of how she'd gotten there or why on earth she would be in a cave.

"Think. How the hell did you get here!" she muttered to herself, running a hand through her hair.

Her ears pricked up as they caught a sound not too far off. Her heart left. Maybe whoever was coming could tell her why she was here and help her get out. She was starting to feel claustrophobic. It was then that the base of her skull began to ache. Her vision blurred and head pounded like a migraine. Tentatively she lifted her right hand to the back of her head and felt it. It was wet and sticky. She recognized the substance on her fingers clearly as blood. Shaken now more than before, she hastily tried to stand but found her legs gave out. Her gaze turned downward and saw not only her left leg laying at an odd angle but that her ankles where shackled together. Panic began to set in. The footsteps continued to draw nearer, but at a snail's pace. Could this person be counting on her panic level being elevated? Well whoever they were had it right. Her heart was racing a mile a minute and she found it difficult to breathe properly. It suddenly occurred to look around for a door. There was none in sight. She was surrounded by four solid walls of stone. That obviously begged the question again of how she got here. Just then, a figure appeared out of nowhere to her right. She shrunk back against the wall as best she could in her injured state. The figure smiled at her, stepping closer.

"Why so scared little witch?" he whispered cruelly, grabbing her hair and tilting her head back until their eyes met.

"Please. Help me," she begged, tears welling up in her over-oxygenized pupils.

"Oh I'll help you," he sneered before roughly dragging her to an awkward standing position.

Her heart beat began to lower for a split second until he clamped his hand around her throat, cutting off her oxygen supply. She struggled, clawing at his hand. She closed her eyes and concentrated, trying to get him off her, finally realizing what he was. Nothing happened. Why wasn't anything happening.

"Stop struggling witch. Your pathetic powers won't work," he cackled, giving her a shake.

The tears that had been brimming finally spilled over at his words. She was helpless, not a damn thing she could to defend herself from this scum. She gasped as she felt his hand release her throat. Maybe he was going to let her go. Just then her eyes widened as she caught the sadistic glint in his eye.