19. Her wrists are tightly bound but they aren’t tied to the frame terribly well

Malene yanks and feels herself be able to pull her hands free. They're still bound in front of her, but at least she can move her arms. She sits up, better able to see her surroundings. Her pack is gone, that much she’s sure of. She’s almost back where she started: naked with her wrists bound. But she’s made it this far and she’s resolved to make it the rest of the way home.

At that moment, the curtain is drawn back and she sees her captors: the three hags from her recent days all stare at her. They all freeze for a moment, eyes locked.

Two things happen at once: Malene bolts and the three converge.