Desolate The Complete Trilogy

2



It didn’t rain very long, but the misery it caused me lasted the rest of the night. I was grateful for the little bit of water I was able to catch in my mouth and swallow, but it also left me cold and shivering until dawn. Had I been stranded in a little less tropical climate, I probably would have succumbed to hypothermia.

I was glad to see the sky lighten and sun’s rays start to peek through the trees. At the same time, it filled me with dread and washed depression over me like a lead blanket. The thought of lying there for another day had me crying again.

After spending a few minutes feeling sorry for myself, I came to the conclusion that it wasn’t going to get me anywhere. I needed to free myself, or at least sit up, so I wouldn’t go insane on top of everything else.

I felt weaker than the day before, and I knew if I wasn’t able to get free in the next couple of hours, I was toast. I had drunk the equivalent of a few sips of water last night, and soon the sun would be on me full bore for an entire day again. There was no way I could survive that.

Ignoring the pain in my gut, I started wiggling my arms and legs, trying to find some slack in the straps. They were on pretty damn tight, but I kept at it. I ignored the discomfort as my skin rubbed raw against the restraints.

I have no idea how long this went on. To tell you the truth, I was a little out of it by then. Looking back on it now, I’m glad I didn’t give up. It would have been easy to do, but I guess there was a little voice inside, nagging me not to give up.

Sometimes, I wonder if I would have been better off giving up back then, considering my current situation. Listen to me, dropping a little hint like that. That’s what writers call foreshadowing. I’m tempted to just cut to the chase and fill you in on what’s happening to me right now. But where’s the fun in that? Besides, I’m proud of myself for getting free and I want to share it with somebody.

Yes, that’s right. I did free myself, eventually. I was finally able to work enough slack into my left wrist strap to allow me to wiggle my hand free. What a liberating feeling it was to finally be able to move my left arm again.

The chest strap was easy. I could feel a simple clasp right in the middle of my chest, and I released it.

It wasn’t easy to sit up, but I managed after a few tries. The wound in my abdomen, along with most of the muscles in my back and butt, sang together in a chorus of pain. I released the restraint on my right hand and both of my legs. I was finally free.