She made her way to the door on shaking legs that screamed in pain and yanked the door open. Behind her, she heard Kenneth’s startled shout. “Holy–sh–Stop her!” She ignored it and fled clumsily into the night, aiming for the thick copse of trees that served as a picnic area for the complex’s workers on break.

The door slammed open behind her just as she reached the trees. She darted to her right, hoping to throw them off, but barked her shin solidly against what must have been the picnic table. She couldn’t keep a cry from escaping her lips.

“Over there!” The voice was too close.

She stumbled around the picnic table and ran again, reaching the deep shadow of the building next door. Behind her, she could hear what sounded like an entire army literally beating the bushes for her.
Her heart slammed into her chest, making the pain of her limbs throb in time to its beat. She forced herself to slow down, knowing that she was more likely to escape without sudden movements that would draw attention to her whereabouts.

As she approached the corner of the building, she heard a sound a little ways behind her and froze. She turned carefully around, needing to see whatever seemed to be on her trail.

Arms, out of nowhere, snaked around her nude body, one pinioning her arms to her sides, the other one covering her mouth with a hand. She was pulled around the corner of the building, out of sight of her pursuers.

Hot breath blew over her ear, sending chills throughout her body. “Screams are best reserved for pleasure, Lady. Do you understand me?”

She nodded. His voice triggered memories in her–hot, sweaty memories of earlier, before the world went to hell. Her body responded, liquid heat centering in her abdomen. The ache in her joints turned hot. She leaned into his body, aware of the hard ridges of muscle pressed against her shoulder blades, her buttocks, and her thighs.