Hide until the stones turn red

Get off the path, she thought. Stay here and you’re asking to be discovered. Hide and wait for the stones to turn red, then you’ll be safe.

She gathered her legs under her and, with an effort, heaved herself to her feet. She moaned slightly as the movement caused her thighs to rub against her swollen genitals.

She wobbled into the cover of a nearby tree, trying to adjust to walking with her elbows tied and also while stopping her thighs from rubbing.

This is no good, she told herself. I’m too easy to see. And I’ve no idea how long it might be before these damn stones change back to red.

The hotel room. If she could get back to the hotel room she could call someone. Miss Whitson. Her boss. The police. Anyone.