Chapter 71. Chains of Deceit

“Dorothy,” a voice said in a hushed tone. “Dorothy, wake up.” Someone gently jostled my shoulder.

It was a challenge to force my eyes open. My eyelids felt weighed down, swollen shut from so much exhaustion.

After all I’d been through, it would be easy to think I’d have fallen asleep at the first opportunity.

Well, it turns out that it’s hard to relax when you’re chained to the concrete ground, trapped in a house full of men who wouldn’t mind seeing you dead.

After Waylen left, despite my pleas for him to stay, and Robert and Elias followed him upstairs, I found myself alone in the basement for the first time since being kidnapped.

The father and son were both in a panic, trying to convince Waylen to stay, worried about what he would do or say after he left.

I even heard a few gunshots.

For a while after that, I heard little but the faint grumble of them arguing and shouting, although I couldn’t make out any of the words.

Waylen’s voic