large group of her captors, but this was what she’d grown used to. She still didn’t know why they’d split earlier, but her heart was heavy at knowing a life had been lost.
A campfire roared in the distance, and her regular guard guided her toward an area near the outskirts of camp. He pulled a rope free from his bag, tying her ankles together. They’d done that sometimes when they allowed her to sit outside and eat. Why they weren’t immediately moving her into a cave was a mystery.
She wouldn’t complain though. She’d sit here alone if they gave her food and water.
Her body ached, her stomach rumbled, and she wanted to curl up and sleep.
Shuddering, she realized the man with part of an ear missing was talking to some of the others. He’d left her alone since that fateful night, but now the blonde woman was dead. Would they attack her tonight? Kidnap someone else?
They weren’t near any U.S. forces, but that didn’t mean they couldn’t ambush a convoy or something and drag the victims here.
Uneasily, she shifted in the growing darkness, trying to make her body as small as possible. She didn’t want to draw any undue attention to herself. Although she ate outside with the group sometimes, she definitely felt more comfortable secluded in a cave. It was somewhat contradictory. In a small, enclosed space, one of the men could easily sneak in and attack her. But more often than not, they were busy eating and making preparations and plans. If she was hidden away, she was out of sight and out of mind to some extent.
The young guy from this morning, Crooked Nose, came marching over toward her. He handed her a plate of food, and her stomach rumbled. “Eat,” he ordered, pulling out his cell phone. She had no idea if he’d let her finish the plate of food after he took whatever picture or video he wanted, so she hastily began to eat the rice and meat.
It was hot, nearly burning her tongue, but they hadn’t fed her meat ever. She knew it was for show—for the video, so they could claim again she was being properly treated. Why they cared so much when they’d taunted, hurt, and killed the other woman, she’d never know.
Was it because she was a soldier?
Kimberly took another bite of the meat. It tasted like lamb, which had never been something she enjoyed, but right now, it was practically the best thing she’d ever tasted. It was slightly charred in one spot, but she didn’t care. It was protein her body desperately needed.
“We feed prisoner,” Crooked Nose said as he filmed her. “Rice. Lamb. She is treated well.” He shifted, holding the phone out and recording himself. “If no ransom is received, we no longer feed her! Harm come to woman. Make a choice!” he yelled.
Kim wondered what choice he meant—whether she lived or died? Whether they fed her anymore or hurt her?
It didn’t matter. They’d post the newest video, and someone would come for her. Someday. Somehow. She knew what the military was capable of. She knew they’d find her eventually, now that the terrorists had released a couple of videos of her. She just hoped it wouldn’t be too late.
An hour later, one of the men approached her with a canteen. It had grown dark, and she’d set the dirty plate off to the side. Amazingly, Crooked Nose had left it with her, and she’d eaten every last bite.
“You drink water,” the man said, sinking down beside her. He smelled of stale sweat and smoke from the fire. She resisted the urge to shift away. The men wanted a reaction from her. They wanted her scared and crying.
His dirty hand landed above her knee, and she resisted the urge to shudder. Calmly, she took a swig of the water, trying not to think about how clean or unclean it was. She needed water to survive.
“I will untie you,” he said, squeezing her leg. “You spread your legs for me.”
She nearly choked on her water but took another swig, ignoring him. He hadn’t moved yet, although his hand still rested there. The two men from this morning looked over and noticed, and one of them began yelling at the man at her side.
He chuckled and stood, snatching the canteen from her. “Next time,” he said darkly, before turning and walking away.
The young guy who usually guarded her came over, ducking down to untie her legs. He yanked her