Drip. Drip drip. Drip. Drip …
Drip ...
The quiet sound seemed like a constant drumbeat to Rose, as she turned her head once more to try and cover her ear to block it out. In the darkness, it felt like it was everywhere however and she tiredly attempted to free her hands from the rope once more, almost desperate for relief.
Twice, someone had come in and shoved a mug of water under her nose, and once she'd been untied long enough to tend her personal business. Between those, however, she'd been kept tied to the bed as the trio argued over what to do with her.
The muffled conversations left her feeling helpless – and hopeless. No one would know where she was, nor would they even suspect who was behind the burglaries and her disappearance. Not until it was too late.
The arguing had ended for the moment, with the group still undecided, and Rose let out a sigh of relief. Soon, the sound of the water dripping was overshadowed by shrieks of laughter that gave way to moans and a repetitive banging sound against the wall. Rose didn't know what they were doing – she could guess rightly enough, but didn't want to hear that any more than the incessant drip.
Thankfully the noise didn't last long and she soon heard the sound of a door open and close – and then silence.
Except for that drip …
Rose's eyes fluttered open, again greeted by the inky darkness around her. Had she slept? It was hard to tell anymore and she shook her head, disoriented and disheartened. Even that move made her feel lightheaded and weak, and she licked her lips though it scant helped. Her tongue felt like sandpaper.
In despair, and to block out the dripping water, she said good-bye to those she loved in the isolated room. Her father, who had always been the one person to understand her. Her mother – brilliant, talented, temperamental and always able to draw people to her. She continued down the list, bringing up images of family, friends, neighbors … Her eyes stung; too dry to even cry, the few tears that did come burned.
Somewhere in the middle of it, she drifted off to sleep …
THUMP!
The sound barely brought Rose from her unconsciousness, beyond caring what it was any longer. Had they come to a decision then? It would be a relief if they had …
Voices came from the next room, loud … angry. Within the fog of her mind she tried to make them out, they sounded … familiar.
A second loud thump made her jump the sudden light blinding her through her eyelids, making her whimper at the jolt of pain. “Rose? She's here! Rose ...”
She opened her mouth to speak, but her throat was too dry for words.
Someone had found her …
