The unknown voice paused for a moment, to let it all sink in. Then he continued, “Do you want to see what I do to beings who argue?”
Jesse knocked the other man's hand away. “Fine,” he said, sullenly. “It’s your problem, though, if I can’t rise to the occasion.”
Hopelessness and despair washed over Anna, nearly bringing her to her knees. She was trapped in the lodge with people—demons—who wanted her dead. She had never felt so alone. With her hands clasped over her mouth, she stood there with tears running down her face, as she wondered if escape was even possible.
“Now that you know what’s expected of you, I’m going downstairs. It isn’t often I get to get in on the action. Hopefully, there’s something left of that blonde-haired slut,” the voices started to move away. Jesse continued to beg until she couldn't hear anything further.
It was still dark outside, the moonlight spilling in through the window. Anna had no idea how many minutes or hours passed. The silence was deafening. Anna considered her options. She had a choice to make. She could either remain inside the lodge and likely die, but at least she'd be warm. Or she could leave the lodge and more than likely die from the elements. Neither option was good, but within seconds, her decision was made. With the fear of discovery dogging her steps, she made it back out of the front door and into the cold night.
The snow was thick and covered up the road, making walking difficult as she took off on foot. Anna knew Alaskan winters were nothing to play with, and many a person had lost their lives from being trapped out in it. Within minutes, the cold penetrated the thickness of her coat, and she had a strong suspicion she’d never make it back to town alive. Bitterly, she thought about how well Jesse and his friends had arranged her capture.
By the time Anna realized she was lost, she was barely coherent and could no longer feel her fingers or toes. Doctors later said it was a miracle she had survived the harsh night temperatures.
It wasn’t long before she lost the ability to keep trying. Finding an old and deserted shed, she huddled into the small shelter. Her entire body shook from her efforts to stay warm. Slumping against the wooden wall, she finally gave up.
Minutes passed. Perhaps hours. Out of the darkness, she heard a calm masculine voice say, “You’re safe, Anna. I am taking you home to Iris now.” She didn't know where it came from nor cared. A deep peace came over her body, easing the pain. The voice continued, “Don't worry. Everything will be okay.”
Her body rose up into the sky, her neck and head falling back weakly. Still, she couldn't open her eyes. She'd died, Anna mused, and her soul was leaving her body. It was the only explanation. At a size twenty-four, nobody could have ever picked her up. Her thoughts were incoherent, but they made perfect sense to her.
Anna felt the air move around her, but she no longer felt the chill. Heaven was going to be warm and pleasant, she just knew it. There would be no more pain and no more hurt and definitely no more fat taunts or demons. With a dreamy smile, she slipped into oblivion.
ANNA JERKED AWAKE FROM the nightmare and sat up on the couch gasping. Her neck and face were wet with sweat and tears. It had been years since the nightmares of that night bothered her. Now, with the stress of her mother’s passing, they were coming every night.
She wiped away the wetness and sat there shivering as she remembered the pain and humiliation she’d experienced as a result of Jesse. The months that followed weren't easy. Anna had fallen into a coma by the time she reached the hospital. For the first several days, no one was even sure she’d survive. But by some miracle she had, though now she wondered what for.
Doctors had discovered a powerful drug in her system, one commonly used to render a horse unconscious. It had been given to her at three times the recommended dosage. Combined with the severe illness she'd picked up from the cold and exposure, her recuperation was long and difficult.
The local police were mystified, and they couldn’t understand why she would have been wandering about the woods. There were no signs of a sexual assault or beating, although she’d obviously been drugged. Without being able to talk to Anna, the entire case had turned into one big mystery. In an investigation, the first days mattered. With the victim in a coma, they hadn't known where to start.
Her mother contacted the authorities after realizing something had happened to her daughter, but they delayed the search because Anna was of age. The investigation didn’t start until a mysterious man had walked out of the mist and fog from the hills, carrying Anna up the front porch to her mother. By the time the police had arrived, he was gone. Iris didn't know who he was, or where he had gone. It was as if he'd disappeared into thin air.
Police combed the area, discovering Anna’s truck parked at the vacant rental. There was no evidence of anyone else being in residence, although they had recovered her purse. According the landlord, the place had been empty for well over a month. The police were further puzzled as they wondered why Anna would have been in an empty lodge, especially one she didn’t have any business being in to start with.
Adding to the mystery, Suzi Zellers was
