Eva woke up to darkness. She couldn't see a wall, the ceiling, or even the color of her own clothes. Everywhere was pitch black, and the harder she strained her eyes to make sense of her surroundings, the more her vision ached.
She jerked her arms forward instinctively but instantly regretted it, hissing as sharp pain shot up her wrists.
Her hands were tied behind her with rope—tight, unforgiving, the coarse texture biting into her skin until it burned.
She realized she was sitting on a chair. It felt like wood beneath her, but in the absence of light, she couldn't be sure.
"Who's out there? Get me out of here!" she shouted, her voice rough with panic. But no footsteps came, no response at all. Her chest tightened. "Someone get me out! Help!"
Her cries filled the room for what felt like forever until her throat grew raw, parched from thirst.
