Alexis and the phantom

When Alexis slowly came to, the first feeling that greeted her was the painful ache of hunger, a huge emptiness that seemed to hollow out her belly like she had not eaten anything in weeks but she recalled having coconut rice and steamed fish with her boyfriend.

Her mouth felt dry, her lips parched and cracked, and her tongue heavy and unresponsive. She tried to lift a hand to her face, but it was stuck. Did she drink?

Alexis tried again but it was as if her hands were bound by something.

She rubbed against it. It felt like a rope, a rough rope that chafed against her wrists.

She was tied up.

Calm down! Calm down! She was Alexis Russel. She was calm, she was collected, she was in control but no matter how she spoke the words in her mind, she could not take hold.