Lay Low

Realizing that making a run for it is only going to draw more attention to herself, Jade turns her attention to the room she is in, trying to think of some way to hide as the men pass.

If I hide behind the couch, and they only glance inside, they might not notice me, Jade thinks.

And seeing nothing else large enough to act as cover, that's exactly what she does, crouched low and pressed against the back of the couch farthest from the door.

Sitting there, the seconds seem to drag on as she keeps her breathing slow and steady, straining her ears in the hopes of hearing the men's approach.

The seconds stretch into minutes as she waits, her muscles beginning to ache slightly at holding the pose for too long. The ache slowly becomes a tremor, and she's uncertain how much longer she can remain posed like this.

Maybe they passed by? Jade begins to wonder, starting to desperately want to stretch her muscles.