When he heard the demon coming back he hid under the refuse pile—the pile of clothes torn off the others before they had been butchered.

There was some kind of scuffle, but he didn’t move to see. There was always a scuffle followed by screaming and sobbing before the end came.

No! he told himself forcefully while he trembled uncontrollably. Do not think about that!

There had been two voices that time... The monster’s had butchered a man and a woman that time.

No!—Nonono!

There were more voices again. Why so soon? They could not still be hungry. He uncovered his ears to wipe the wet from under his eyes. Shivering, he stole a look through the tattered clothes, careful not to rattle his chain manacled about his ankle.

Who was he fooling? His chain was only five paces long! The monsters knew just where to find him.

Jalen frowned, eyes widening.

There was a tall man with a woman in his arms, three other men surrounding him. No. Five men, or was the fifth a woman?

His heart started thumping.

Those people were armed. Had they killed the monsters? He hadn’t heard any fighting. But then, he had been sleeping.

They started for the exit. Jalen burst out of his pathetic hiding place. “Wait!” he croaked, pushing back the refuse. “Please! Help me!”

Gods, help me!

“HELP ME!”