Captive Audience

Zara

My heart was still pounding from the fear, but I straightened my shoulders and looked Valerie dead in the eye, refusing to let her see how much my hands were shaking.

"You could have just called me if you wanted to talk," I said, keeping my voice as serious as I could manage. "Was all this necessary? Grabbing me off the street like I'm some kind of criminal?"

Valerie laughed, that her usual a