“It's none of your business. But you've crossed the line."

“What's your game?" Her voice shook as she asked this.

“You'll see soon enough." With a rough jerk, the man hoisted her up and nudged her forward.

The wind roared, swirling her clothes with a chilling rustle. A sinking feeling gripped Bettie.

Even in the outskirts, Mathias' summer wind wasn't this fierce, unless they were atop a mountain.

Cool air brushed her face, making her feel like she was staring into nothingness.

Then it hit Bettie. She stood at the cliff's edge!

Fear shot through her, cold sweat beading her brow, her lips pale, legs trembling, afraid a single step would send her tumbling.

"No... Please, don't kill me," Bettie begged, tears in her voice, inching back until she collapsed. She didn't want to die. She was only twenty-six. Her mom loved her dearly. How shattered would she be by then? And Lance. Unspoken forgiveness lingered after he vanished post-rescue. How crushed would he be?

But the man seized Bettie's arm, yanking her up, his voice smug.

“Dream on. My sister suffers in jail while you roam free. Better luck next time!"

Bettie struggled to stand, her heart racing and her lips trembling.

“If you harm me, the cops won't go easy on you."

“I'll take my chances." With a shove, he sent her plummeting.

"No!" Ground vanished, Bettie plunged into darkness, despair swallowing her whole.

With her eyes covered, Bettie's other senses sharpened remarkably.

The whoosh of the wind zipped by her, making a whirring sound.

Plummeting downwards at an alarming rate, Bettie couldn't stifle her screams. Her adrenaline spiked, her heart raced, and her breathing was shallow. She felt a rush in her head, accompanied by a constant humming sound.

The intense excitement frightened Bettie to her bones, her heart feeling as if it was floating, always apprehensive of what the next moment could bring.

Her fear kept climbing, reaching heights of absolute dread. She screamed relentlessly, like a toy chicken that just wouldn't quiet down, unable to silence herself.