She was late for work. The park was the shortest way to get there, but bad things happened in the dark, shadowy park…A hand seized her right shoulder. She wrenched away. The grip tightened.Fingernails dug into the hollow of her shoulder, broke through the skin. A searing sensation ripped through her flesh as a blast of hot air battered her neck. She swung her arm, whacking her attacker. But his other hand shot out, grabbed her. She spun around. His hand encircled her wrist in a vise like grip.Pain mixed with fear. Fear she tasted in the hot, noxious bile bubbling in the back of her throat. It threatened to obstruct her windpipe. She swallowed, the fluid burning its way down to her stomach. Ducking her head, she twisted away, staggered, tripped. She was plummeting through the darkness.He grabbed her arm, twisted, wrenched her upright. A parox-ysm of pain shattered her wrist and her knees went weak. She tried to scream. Her breath froze. A strangled cry was all that came out.His arm slid around her shoulder, pulled her backwards. She felt her feet being jerked out from under her. Powerful arms pressed her against a broad chest. She could smell the stale scent of his sweat. Her fists beat at him. His arms tightened, crushing her against him.She opened her mouth to scream. Her cry was cut short as a damp cloth was slapped over her mouth. Her lips stung and a bitter smell made her gag. She couldn’t breathe.When she could finally open her mouth, she gasped for air and twisted violently. The cloth sucked into her mouth. A strong, sweet odor made her retch. The skin around her mouth burned. Within seconds a pleasant sensation filled her brain. Her struggling ceased.It was several seconds before she took another breath and much longer before she moved. She didn’t feel the hands that slid around her chest. She didn’t feel her body being carried back through the trees. She didn’t feel herself being thrown in the back of the van.In fact, it was a long time before she felt anything.