Page 31 of Once Upon a Fable

Wrapping those brave words around me, I pulled out my PLB. The black piece of technology was cumbersome and weighty. So many times I’d been tempted to put it in my backpack instead of stretching my legging pocket with its bulk.

But now, sitting in a cold puddle in a wretchedly dark cell, I cried tears of gratefulness.

This tiny black device would save my life. It was a gift.

Salty droplets tracked down my cheeks as I pulled out the antenna, flicked open the case, and pressed the button.

I’d hoped for a light to flash. Some announcement that my signal for help had been received, but it remained exactly as it had been. Cold and immune to my terror.

Vaguely, I recalled the shopkeeper giving me a lesson on it when I’d bought it years ago. He said it was a one-way street. The signal would be sent out, but no acknowledgment of it being received would be sent back.

The anxiety that granted wasn’t fair.

Had it worked?

Will they come for me?

All I knew was I had to keep it serviced, check the batteries regularly, and be prepared to wait a few days for rescue. Satellites needed to make two passes minimum to confirm my location, and that was only if it had direct access to the starry sky.

Who knew if GPS could track me down here, in a stone basement in the middle of nowhere? The not knowing and lack of confirmation were the worst torments imaginable as hours ticked onward and the chill in my bones solidified to ice crystals.

I felt like I’d shatter from stress and shivering.

I rocked against the wall. I crawled around the perimeter until I found a blanket that itched and prickled. I bundled myself up and did my best not to slip deeper into fear.

Tears prickled my hazy stare as the bright lightbulb flickered above me, bringing my jumpy attention back to the present. The bulb seemed to glow brighter, glinting off the antenna of the PLB, mocking me.

Will someone come?

Or am I on my own?

Pressure built in my already sore throat. My pulse shot skyward, sending blood to pound in my fingertips and toes.

Why had the lights come on?

Was he coming?

What is he going to do?

My mother was wrong.

I wasn’t blessed.

Not anymore.

I’d made a stupid,stupidchoice. A choice that’d totally derailed my safety and success and left me alone, in pain, and—

The door clanged as if something heavy bashed against it, followed by the screech of metal pulling through metal.

Stand up.

Stand up!

Scurrying to my feet, swaying as light-headedness caught me, I blinked in panic.

The door opened.

I braced myself against the wall, tilting my chin and balling my hands. My knees quaked, and nausea bubbled in my belly. I was weak and lost and dreadfully afraid.