His lungs struggled to fill, the breath knocked clear when he collided with the tree. The solid oak hadn't moved upon impact. Pain of a broken collar bone warred with the inability to breathe, fueling a panic that he tried to control. Just a little more time, that's all they needed. His arm clung around the tree, trying to keep him standing but his knees wobbled under him. Just a little more time. He spat out the blood that had pooled in his mouth, blue eyes turning toward the sound of a woman's laughter dancing toward him on the breeze.

"Is that all you have, little man?"

Zach watched her as she prowled toward him. Each step told of her confidence, her power and strength. He knew he'd given her at least one blow during their struggle but she was unmarred. He rolled his way around the tree, using it for support. The world around him swam. He closed his eyes to still the roller coaster. He came to a stop, his back to the tree and head resting against the rough bark. Finally able to breathe deeply, he exhaled a sigh as his eyes opened.

"Hello."

She was right there, right in front of him sneering at her with that smile she'd been wearing since the beginning. Her fingers clutched his neck in a surprisingly tight grip, arm lifting as her fingers squeezed off his air supply again. His feet lost the ground as she pushed him upward. Zach caught her wrist in his own desperate grip, trying to get some relief from the burning in his lungs. Choking sounds filled his ears together with the thumping rush of his own heartbeat.

"The more you struggle, the more it will hurt." She jerked him toward her so they were face to face. "But then, I like a good struggle in a man." Her red lips curled into a sinister smile that complimented the malice in her eyes. Her fingers tightened, keeping him from inhaling anything other than a faint choking gasp. "Where did your brother take the girl?"

Zach managed to shake his head. He wouldn't say. He wouldn't. He did give an answer though. With a sharp curl of his body, he managed to land a kick to her midsection. The surprise caused her fingers to slip, his body to fall. He hit the ground, sucking in that much needed breath as he struggled to his feet. Fingers caught his arm though, inhuman strength flipped him onto his back with a sharp thud. She settled onto his chest straddling him, her hands finding and holding each of his outstretched and pinned to the ground. "You don't listen." She leaned forward, nuzzling at his neck for a moment before she breathed her words against his skin, "We'll change that too."

He woke with a start, the daylight still trying to hold sway over him. Zach sucked in an unnecessary breath as he rubbed his chest and then massaged his neck a little to remove the sensation of phantom fingers that still lingered. His eyes darted around the rented room as if searching for the one who haunted his dreams. Only when he discovered he was alone did he feel any peace and then, only a small measure.