Chapter 63: The bridge.

Chapter 63: The bridge.

Groggy and disoriented, Gareth woke slowly with a dull aching pain in his shoulders. His mouth was dry, and his head pounded. The wind hitting him was cold and sharp with the scent of winter snow and lake water. Before he opened his eyes, he tried to move. Something was restricting his ankles and his wrists. Wearing only his undershirt and boxer shorts, he wiggled and heard a giggle. His eyes popped open and then widened.

He was so screwed right now.

Gareth was tied at the ankles and around his wrists. A rope held his arms over his head as he swung slightly. His body hung off a stone bridge dangling above rushing water. Only his shirt and boxers covered his frame, and his heart shot to his throat. Usually, he was afraid of heights, but this was worse. Even though he was supposed to be trained for a moment like this, he wasn’t. Nothing about this situation he felt ready for, and this wasn’t a practice scenario. For a second, Gareth froze with fear.