A bucket of cold water came crashing onto Lisa, jarring her back to consciousness. Once she had regained her lost breath, she tried to stand up only to have her body stay put.
Lisa was hogtied, lying face down on a dirt floor. Looking around as much as she could, she saw that she was in a filthy tent filled with boxes which she could not see into from her position. She could hear was sounded like work going on outside, specifically mining.
“You've chosen a very poor way to pay your toll, Miss,” said a voice above her. We've taken all of your money and things, but we're going to have to make you pay some... punitive fees.”
Lisa was able to see that the man was holding some iron shackles. He bent over, putting a metal collar around her neck as he spoke.
“This here is a secret mining project of ours. We'd have only made you work here a few days, but since we can't have word getting out about it, you're going to have to stay until it's done.”
Lisa's feet were untied, then locked into the irons. Her hands were shackled in front of her, with a chain leading down to her ankles to which they were secured. She was pulled up to her feet and pushed out of the tent. About twenty workers were here, digging a pit out in the middle of the desert.
“We've only just started. But don't worry, we're hoping this won't take too long. A month or two out here won't do you much harm.” |