tick tick tick

Carmen twisted her wrists in the ropes yet again.  There was no give in the slack, no loosening in their grip on her.  She pulled again at her ankles, and again, it was no use.

tick tick tick

She had been tied in this inverted "Y" after being abducted on her way to the ATM.  As usual, it was a mystery as to who it might have been, and why this was happening.  The only thing certain was that they were operating under the same principle as the others who had imperiled her before:  She had to be awake when she died, and she could not be shot.  

tick tick tick

Who wanted her dead?  Her mind raced with that thought for a moment, but then she shook her head... no, she had to think about getting out of these ropes.  After all, there was a bomb resting between her legs.  She could not hear the ticking, but she could certainly feel it.

tick tick tick

Her captor had revived her and when she awoke in this position, she realized she could not speak or cry out with the gag taped tight into her mouth.  She also realized that once again, her captor and would-be executioner had made off with her shoes, leaving her barefoot, like always.  Why did everyone who tried to kill her want her shoes, she thought.  Again, she had to get that thought out of her mind....

tick tick tick

It was only a matter of time as to when the bomb would go off.  Carmen renewed her struggles with a furious effort...

tick tick tick