Waking In a Strange Room

Liana Wade

Awakening very slowly, Liana Wade opened her eyes equally slowly. She didn't remember lying down for a nap. As her eyes adjusted, she frowned. This wasn't the bedroom she shared with Ben.

There was a chest along one wall, a plain wooden chest with drawers. In one corner, there was a chair with blue upholstery on the seat and back. Right next to the bed on which she lay, there was a small nightstand. A lamp and a clock stood on it. The clock was digital, and the red numbers on it said 3:04, with the tiny letters pm following them.

Raising her head made it hurt. Liana let it fall back, her hand going to it. Blinking, she attempted to think about where she could be--where she had lay down to take a nap. Thinking hurt too but, with a gasp, she recalled what had happened.

She'd decided to go for her walk alone, when Ben had been late returning from the stables to accompany her. It had been enjoyable, the weather beautiful, and the church had been almost in sight when she'd heard a noise behind her. She'd been about to turn when a hand had first been placed over her mouth, then hands had closed around her throat. They were strong and she'd tried to kick, tried to turn, but being almost eight months pregnant made things like that more difficult. Before she could really do anything, she'd felt her breath cut off. The last thing she could remember was being lightheaded, and that she'd tried to call Ben's name, but couldn't.

The baby! Liana hands flew to her belly and she moved them carefully over herself. There didn't seem to be anything wrong. She didn't feel any pain anywhere other than her neck and throat, where those hands had been fastened so tightly. It was sore. She ran her fingertips over it lightly, as she continued to look around.

She had no idea where she was. This room didn't look at all familiar. Seeing a window in one wall, she made up her mind to try getting up again in just a moment. Perhaps looking out would give her some idea where she was at the moment.

Just then, she heard a noise beyond the door. Someone was here. It wasn't Ben. She knew his footsteps. It wasn't Dan either. She'd come to know the sound of his steps almost as well as she knew Ben's.

Hearing the steps coming closer to the door, Liana closed her eyes again and remained perfectly still, as the door opened.