I can hear my breathing, heavy and panicked. I don’t know where I am. I try to open my eyes but it’s dark. I’m blindfolded.

The material is thick and scratchy on my face. A piece of cotton is making my mouth dry. It’s hard to breathe.

Tingling shoots down my legs as my body starts to come to. I try to move but I can’t. I’m restrained.

I start to panic, my chest is tight as I hyperventilate and choke on the gag.

Where am I?

What happened?

Where is my family?

I wiggle my fingers, trying to free myself with no luck. I am not thinking clearly. I am so afraid.

Footsteps…

I hear footsteps. Someone is here and I have a feeling they are not here to help me.

“Ah, you’re awake,” a deep masculine voice sounds behind me. I know that voice, I would know that voice anywhere.

Ty Lile, a serial killer that had been running rampant in Spokane is standing behind me.

He has my family… or he killed them.

The blindfold lifts from my eyes and I jump. Coming back to reality I realize that I am sitting in a makeup chair, a soft brush gently spreading blush on my cheek.

I’m okay, I tell myself, I’m okay.

Just preparing for another interview with yet another news outlet about the serial killer who spared me 10 years ago.

Why I was spared but my husband and sister were not, I don’t have the answer to.

But, the news and true crime podcasts eat that shit up. And the fame that comes with being the “spared victim” is very lucrative.

I’d be a good not to capitalize on that.

I take a deep breath, pushing the horrid memories down deeper.

It’s showtime.