The pained expression was clear as day all over Anna’s face. The paracord was wrapped tightly around her wrists, legs and ankles. Tight, but tolerable. But Lew Rubens used exceptional cruelty in the tightness of the loops around her elbows. He delighted in each wince of pain as he cinched the cord again and again.

Then he left and watched her on his monitor. Anna writhed and rolled on the floor. Her flesh felt like it was on fire. The pain intensified each moment. She groaned as she suffered, as the pain overcame her reason. She kept thinking she’d reached the absolute limit, and yet the torture continued to escalate.

How much more coukd she possibly stand?