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Prologue

So cold and wet falls onI wonder if so

Then, all of a sudden, oes dark

I start to screa my voice A thick arm wraps around my waist and presses on the valley between my breasts

“I thought you’d be happier to see medoll,” whispers oosebumps all over my skin

He’s here

PuppetMaster’s here

And he’s a big, strong, burly h he’s just one person, it feels like there are hard, solid walls ofme on all sides

His chest is broad and sturdy againstI can barely rip Yet, he’s careful not to hurt me or put me in discomfort in any wayfor now, at least

I kick and screa that will irritate PuppetMaster Maybe I’ll annoy hih to make him want to hurt me

He tightens his hold onuntil I stop struggling “Reain in a raspy whisper

“What safe word?” I ask

“Exactly” PuppetMaster continues to speak in a strange, lohisper “Proht me, doll?”

“Yes, Sir”

“You don’t want people to stare and get us into trouble, do you?”

“No, Sir”

“Good girl,” he rasps

Sarah

In ancient India, when a man died, his ould throw herself into her husband’s funeral pyre and burn to ashes