S.E. Sharp S.E. Sharp

Induction, Chapter Eleven

Dr. Castillo deems me healthy, despite my cuts and bruises. No stitches required, but she gives me some mild painkillers, a bottle of antibiotic ointment, instructions on how to clean the wounds, and tells me to get plenty of rest.

I’m not sure if I’ll be able to achieve the latter request.

Read More
S.E. Sharp S.E. Sharp

Induction, Chapter Ten

Back in the first room, the one with the adjustable chairs, Nelly has me sit in one. I only hesitate a moment before taking a seat. I glance at Elizabeth, who’s sitting in the other chair as Jacqulyn works on her hand.

“All right, we’ll start with you, Sav.” Nelly takes the wrapper off some fresh bandages.

Who’s Sav?

Read More
S.E. Sharp S.E. Sharp

Induction, Chapter Nine

“Let’s get you cleaned up,” the Black woman says softly, her hands coaxing me to my feet. She has high cheekbones and hawkish eyes, sharp and keen. Despite the intensity in her gaze—and the fact she’s a total stranger—I trust her.

Read More
S.E. Sharp S.E. Sharp

Induction, Chapter Eight

The blast from the second explosion feels like an eternity ago, though only a few seconds have passed. My leg muscles are already burning when we reach the top, emerging from the underground lair to the forest. Tall pine and aspen trees cast long shadows from the evening sun, and cold air nips at my exposed skin. It’s surreal and disorienting after being surrounded by bland gray stone.

Read More
S.E. Sharp S.E. Sharp

Induction, Chapter Seven

My heart leaps. Oh, thank god!

I look at Elizabeth. She’s getting to her feet, injured hand clutched to her chest. On her way over to me, she stoops down and picks up a thin piece of metal—what she had used to pick her restraints. She casts a wary glance at the dead guard as she steps around him, skirting the pool of odd gray blood around his head.

Read More
S.E. Sharp S.E. Sharp

Induction, Chapter Six

A crack. A thump. Chains clatter. A yelp and gasp of pain.

My skin tightens and my stomach jolts. Elizabeth is slumped on the ground, one arm free from the cuff. She shoves her face against her shoulder, teeth biting into her flesh, her body shaking. I catch sight of her free hand: bloodied, the skin ripped off, revealing the white of bone. My head starts to swim for the hundredth time since waking up in this dungeon.

Read More
S.E. Sharp S.E. Sharp

Induction, Chapter Five

Waves of tremors wrack my body, and the burn on my neck throbs. I choke on my sobs and runny nose. All I want to do is shrivel up in a ball, but I can’t move. The shackles dig into my wrists. Elizabeth is talking, trying to soothe and reassure me, but my horrified imagination of what can and will happen obliterate all hope of rescue.

They’re both right about one thing. This isn’t a game. There are no checkpoints to restart if I die. There are no extra lives like in Anita’s video games. This is real. The pain is real. The hate in Sahara’s voice is real. The threat of death is very real, as is the threat of torture.

Read More
S.E. Sharp S.E. Sharp

Induction, Chapter Four

My world is dark. Pain is my only company. I’m trapped again in the car, meeting eyes with the monster who stares back at me with hunger, with anger, and instead of limping away, it stalks toward me—

Read More
S.E. Sharp S.E. Sharp

Induction, Chapter three

I race inside, yelling for my sisters, hands desperately patting my pockets for my phone, coming back empty. I must have left it on my bed.

I find Anita in the living room. She’s pulling off her headset, face crunched in concern.

“What is it?” She eyes me warily.

“The mountain lion is out there! You have to come see!” I reach out to grab her arm, intending to drag her outside with me.

Read More
S.E. Sharp S.E. Sharp

Induction, Chapter Two

Four Months Later

Beep. Beep. Beep.

I swipe my phone screen, silencing the 9:00 a.m. alarm, then return my attention to my laptop. Scrolling through the articles, from six months ago and later, on a forum called Strange and Unusual Sightings. Most of the posts are obscure and vague at best, despite the authors’ conviction they’d spotted Bigfoot or a UFO.

Read More
S.E. Sharp S.E. Sharp

Induction, Chapter one

A semitruck rounds the corner, headlights briefly blinding me. I stare at the white line on the right side of the road, using it as a guide. The monstrous vehicle and its trailer rumble past, shaking the SUV. My knuckles are white as I grip the steering wheel, my armpits sticky with sweat as I navigate the curves.

Read More