Amelia found a parking spot and stopped, taking out her phone to send a message to try and inquire. She had only composed a few characters when she caught a glimpse of a dark figure passing in the rearview mirror. Her fingers paused as she frowned and looked back, but there was nothing behind the car—empty.
She tossed the phone onto the passenger seat, got out of the car with suspicion, and walked around the rear to the other side. Suddenly, a whiff of a gust swept past her. Before she could react, her mouth was covered—
Instinctively, she reached for the assailant's arm, attempting to execute a judo throw, but found herself too weak to exert any strength.
Her heart sank as she realized the hand over her mouth and nose carried a pungent smell.
She had been careless.
In those few seconds, the figure had opened the rear door and pushed her onto the seat, then a heavy body followed, pressing down on her back, without ever removing the hand that was covering her mouth.
