It's a beautiful end of May weekend and I wanted to share some writing news with you. But first I wanted to Thank everyone who has signed up. It means alot to me.  My book is coming along great. Thought I would share a chapter with everyone. This was a REWRITE....the original was going in a totally different direction, one that meant human trafficking was going to take place. I decided to delete that and decided to go this route. I hope you enjoy:

Renee slowly opened her eyes. The room was dimly lit, smelled of livestock and hay, but she couldn’t quite figure out what the other odor was. She knew she was not at her sister’s home in her bright kitchen that smelled of cinnamon and a mix of flowers. She strained to focus her eyes in the dark. Her head was still fuzzy, she could move her feet, but her hands were tied together in front of her. She lay on what felt like a cot, but maybe it was a twin size bed. Her eyes finally adjusted to the dimly lit area, a small room with one cot and a small table with a lamp. She threw her legs over the edge of the bed, reached over to the lamp, and turned on the light. She continued to scan her surroundings. “Where am I?” Renee whispered reaching up with her bound hands and touching the back of her head. The memory of a scuffle in Addison’s kitchen, then being hit with something before everything went dark. 

She heard the crunch of heavy footsteps, each one slow and deliberate, drawing nearer. The footfalls were a mans for sure, too heavy for a female. They paused at the door before unlocking and opening it. A tall man with broad shoulders, wore a ski mask, and dark leather coat. His voice was deep, and matter of fact. The hairs on her neck prickled, she was scared. 

“So you woke.” He said in a harsh, steady voice. “You better hope your sister brings me those photos.” He growled. 

Renee had no idea who this man was, but she feared him. She knew he could harm her, and didn’t know why he had not already done so. When he attacked her in her sister’s kitchen, she had tried to fight him off, but he overpowered her quickly, and knocked her out before she could escape.

Her voice trembled, “what do you want from me?” Renee asked.

“You know exactly what I want.” He said through clenched teeth. 

“The photos I took do not show faces, no one would ever know who you were, you can let me go.” Renee pleaded. 

“Ha”, he scoffed. “You think it’s that easy.” He came within inches of her face.

Renee could smell the coffee and cigaret he had just had. “Please, just let me go. I have no idea who you are.” Her voice trembling.

He turned toward the door. “Not before I get those photos. If you won’t tell me where they are, I am sure there are ways to make you talk.” He opened the door to leave then paused. “Addison sure has a cute daughter.” He said still standing in the doorway not facing her.

“Don’t you dare lay a hand on my niece. I swear if you do, you will pay.” She yelled as he walked out the door.

 She had to find a way out, not just for herself, but to save Rose.

“I can’t just sit here and wait,” Renee declared, her voice gaining a surprising strength. “I have to try.”

Her hands in front of her were an advantage for her. He evidently had not done his research. Renee knew how to pick locks, and handcuffs were no different from door locks she thought. “What do I have that will release these?” Renee remembered the earrings she had taken from her sister, something her mother had given to Addison before she left home. Diamond studs. Perfect. She had the cuffs off in a matter of minutes. Longer than she had thought it would take. Must be getting rusty she thought.

She scampered off the bed and ran to the door. Bolted. She tried the knob, no luck. She searched the room for anything she could use. It was empty, other than the bed and table with the lamp. She slumped down onto the floor and leaned her head against the door. Renee drew her knees up and wrapped her arms around her legs. She had to find a way out.