From Bullets To Billions

"The best thing you can do in this situation," the man began, his tone cold and authoritative, "so your stay here is as comfortable as possible... is simple."

He paused, making sure she was paying attention.

"Don’t run. Don’t scream. Only speak when spoken to. Do you understand?"

Abby gave a hesitant nod.

Without another word, the man, Na, reached out and ripped the tape from her mouth in one swift, harsh motion. The sting of it shot through her skin, and for a split second, she almost cried out. Her lips trembled, a soft moan of pain rising to her throat.

But then Na shot her a warning look. It wasn’t threatening, just... sharp. A reminder. Like she’d already broken a rule.

Immediately, she clamped her mouth shut, swallowing the sound. She didn’t need him to say it twice.

After exiting the car, Na moved around to her side, and from his jacket he pulled out a small blade. The metal glinted in the light for just a second before he crouched down. With quick, practiced movements, he cut the zip ties binding her wrists and ankles.

For a single, dangerous moment, Abby considered bolting, just sprinting as fast as she could and not looking back.

But reason caught up with her just as fast.

That would be suicide.

She glanced around. Soldiers, armed personnel, vans. And all of them were likely faster, stronger, more trained. There was nowhere to go, and she knew it. Maybe that’s why he had said it aloud earlier, because he knew exactly what someone like her would be thinking.