Her hands are tied

Jade scrambles to try and pick up the stick, or anything else for that matter, but Enrico's foot presses harder into her back until she can't breathe and her ribs feel like they're about to crack. "I don't need you conscious for what I've got in mind," Enrico's oily voice assures her, "so I suggest you try cooperating more, and struggling less. That's better, Ginger..."

A strong hand grips her by the hair, and the pressure of the foot on her back eases off. Jade draws in a deep breath, accidentally taking in some dust with it, and coughs hard as a result. The grip on her hair remains steady and irresistable as she involuntarily jerks away from it.

Ouch! He's so much stronger than me... what is he going to do? If he was just going to rape me, I could probably handle that, but he's seven shades of pissed off... is he going to kill me? The producers wouldn't want that, but how could they stop him?

"Now, you're going to stand up when I let you up," Enrico says. "We're going to move out of here before someone shows up who thinks I shouldn't have you all to myself, and how well you cooperate is what determines how much blood stays on the inside of you. Don't fuck with me, is the general idea. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes," Jade says quietly.

"All right, then. On your feet!"

Jade starts to stand, but then coughs again and falls back to her hands and knees - or she would have, if not for Enrico's grip in her hair. A squeal bursts out as the hair pulls painfully at the back of her scalp, and she's hauled to a standing position. For a moment, Jade considers swinging her pack around to hit Enrico with it, but it's much too lightweight to do anything to him.

"You don't do what I say, when I say it, you get hurt," Enrico says. "I don't care why. Now, put your hands together, behind your back."

Jade hesitates a moment.

"The operative word there was, NOW!"

Enrico twists his fist in her hair pulling once again. This time Jade is able to keep from crying out, but she can't stop the tears welling up in her eyes. Quickly, she puts her hands behind her.

"Better. Now, hold tight to this."

What feels like a rope is pressed into her hand, but it seems to be made of reeds. She grabs onto it, and Enrico wraps it around her wrists several times, pulling it tight.

"I'm going to let go of your hair now, Ginger. When I do, you might think you can try to run, and shake this rope off. You'll be face down in the dirt again before your third step - and then I'll put a rope around your neck instead. Capice?"

"I understand," Jade whispers.

Enrico releases her hair, and ties the rope behind her. Then, he steps around to face her, holding the other end like a leash. His left eye is blackened and swollen almost shut, but otherwise he looks as he did when she saw him last - and though he's smiling, it's a smile that gives her chills.

"Now, we're leaving," he says. "You can keep up with me, or end up getting dragged. Move!"

Enrico turns and heads into the woods at a brisk walk, pausing only to pick up the stick that he used to trip Jade up. His long strides force Jade to almost run in order to keep up. She can see that he's limping slightly, another souvenier from their last meeting. They're heading almost back the way she came, but in a slightly different direction.

I got away from him once, I can do it again, she thinks. Can't give up hope, not now! There's no way he was expecting to run into me right at that moment - that means he might not have had a chance to think of everything. This rope... it's crudely made, but it feels strong enough. Looks like bandages from one or more of the first aid kits, and some grass and reeds twisted into it. There's no way I can break it with my own strength, that's for sure. If I could get to my own kit, I could cut it with that piece of glass, but he'll never give me the chance -

Suddenly, Enrico stops, turns around, and slaps her - hard. Jade drops to her knees, looks back up at him, the tears streaming down her cheeks in earnest now.

"That's for thinking about how you're going to get away from me," Enrico says. "Now, get up! And move!"

Jade scrambles to her feet again as the rope pulls tight, twisting her around, but she's able to stumble and catch her balance. He's trying to mess with my head, she thinks. Make me feel like a helpless victim. That won't work. He's stronger than me, but I'm smarter. Smart like a fox. The Red Fox... that's what I am. Maybe Jade couldn't get out of this one... but the Fox can!

Up ahead, tucked in among the trees, is a cabin made of rough-hewn logs. Enrico strides up to it and kicks the door open, eliciting a scream from the girl inside.

"Get out! NOW!" he shouts at her.

The girl runs, barely looking back at Jade. It's the Asian girl... Jade can't remember her name now.

If I go in there, I'm out of options, Jade thinks. What can I do? What will he not expect?

"Step inside," Enrico says, gesturing with his free arm. "Or, don't. I really don't mind dragging you in kicking and screaming."