She forgot everything, even to shut her eyes, while tears drenched her blindfold.

Then, suddenly, her fall briefly stopped.

Just as Bettie thought she had hit the ground, puzzled by the lack of pain, she was lifted upward again at a dizzying speed.

"Help!" Bettie yelled, utterly confused.

She shot up to a point, and then fell once more.

And again, she rose and fell.

Amid the torture, Bettie's heart skipped and fluttered like her body, jumping high, dropping low, caught in her throat, then sinking deep.

It all unfolded in a few short moments.

After a few ups and downs, she ended up swinging in the air, caught in a moment of suspense. It felt like her soul had snapped back into her, though her heart hadn't calmed down, fear still clutching it tightly.

Yet, she figured she wasn't going to die today. That was somewhat of a relief, a small positive note.

It turned out that the mastermind behind this wasn't trying to kill her but had her experiencing bungee jumping, safely tied with a rope.

As she swung there, Bettie felt herself being lifted back up slowly.

What was the next move planned for her?

Her mind raced with possibilities. Could it be cutting off a finger or toe? Maybe losing a whole hand or foot? Possibly breaking a leg?

Or maybe it was all leading up to a severe beating?

Suddenly, Bettie wasn't so afraid anymore. After facing death itself, what more was there to fear?

Even if she hadn't chosen that battle. She mentally braced herself for even more challenges. "Let the storm come at me even harder,"

Bettie muttered under her breath.

Soon after, she felt someone grab her shoulders and arms, pulling her up.

"Get her other shoulder," someone instructed.