Ashley sat wringing her sweaty hands nervously, wishing she could squeeze them dry.
She squirmed in the seat. She couldn't gather the courage to look at Tanaga, who sat sideways facing the window. His mind was wandering far away as if Ashley did not exist. His indifferent behavior made Ashley more uneasy.
They had spent half an hour traveling in complete silence. In the quiet, they could hear the rhythm of each other's breathing.
For Ashley, it was the most extended half-hour of her life. She had no idea what was waiting for her wherever they were going.
Sometime later, the car stopped suddenly. Ashley looked out her window and was dumbstruck by what she was seeing. They were stopped in front of a very tall wall with substantial metal gates.
A moment later, the gate opened automatically. A long road came into view. The setting was serene, almost like a photo she had seen in a gallery.
