It was dark.
That's the first thing I remember thinking, how cold and dark it was.
My head hurt and I couldn't remember exactly what had happened. I remembered the smell, sickly sweet, a bump and then... nothing.
Remembering nothing was scarier than knowing what had happened.
I opened my eyes.
There was nothing around me, it was a dark room, small, cold and wet. A small slatted window high above my head was the only source of light.
I lay against the ground, my side sticky, my hands bound behind my back. The drip drop of water was enough to drive anyone insane.
A creak. I closed my eyes again. Light footsteps echoed around the room and a man's voice demanded, "Is she awake yet?"
A laugh. High pitched and familiar. "We'll see won't we. Better if she isn't, for now."
"Sam?" that voice echoed in my ear, "You awake yet?"
Dauntra.
That's all it took to remember. I stayed quiet. For the best, I thought. I had no idea who was with her or what the hell they wanted with me.
I was lifted up, heaved over someone's shoulder and almost thrown into a chair. My hands were undone, then re-done behind my back, my head slumped against a table, a desk, a counter?
"Sam!"
There was a strong, strong smell, like Rebecca's gym kit, several weeks unwashed, flung into my nose. I gagged, moved back and jerked my eyes open.
"Her highness is back in the room," Dauntra joked.
Two surly men dressed in black suits stood lurking in the shadows, Dauntra and a taller, scraggly man sat in front of me.
"So pleased you could join us," the man's smooth tones were a shock, he was dressed smartly, but looked out of place, the dark stubble showing he hadn't shaved in a couple of days.
"What do you want," I sighed , "I have no power whatsoever, so there's no point threatening me."
"Oh but Sam, you have more power than you think."
He pointed out the window.
"You've been missing for three days, last seen at Potomac, where a Polaroid of your lovely self looking rather bedraggled was left for the staff to discover."
"You should see the press coverage," laughed Dauntra.
The man beat his fist on the desk.
"Enough," he commanded.
"You are the icon of modern-day society, a youth UN member, who saved the president's life. Thanks to Dauntra here, the world knew of your scandal but now, her claims have been withdrawn, with expressed apologies, by our board. The entire world knows you're innocent and we want you."
"Well tying me up and throwing me in a damned cell wasn't a smart move then," I said, edging forward.
A scowl drew across his face.
"What do you want and who the hell are you. Answer my questions or you'll hear no more."
The man's scowl turned to a malicious smile, placing his fists on the desk and edging forward, he remarked , "I'm the wolf and I think you'll do anything we ask of you." He threw his chair back, standing up and casting a Polaroid to me across the desk.
"Because we, Samantha, have your sister."