Chapter 131

"Ashton?" Silence. I sat up, suddenly alert of the deep silence that engulfed me. My breath came out in anxious puffs as I scrambled to my feet. Where was I? Where was he? The thick darkness blocked my vision like murky contacts. "Ashton!" I yelled again, more frantic this time. "I'm here, Elizabeth." I whirled around, my hair flashed around me like a whip. Where was he? I heard his voice again, but it was far away, inaudible. A flash of light came from somewhere a few feet away from me. I squinted, trying to peer through the thick darkness, and just managed to faintly make out the silhouette of a man. He raised a hand. I could see that he wore a suit. I took a step back, wary of this new stranger. He held a card between his index and middle finger but I couldn't see what was written on it. His lips parted in a smile and his white teeth gleamed in the low light. He flicked the card t