Ransom   Mallory awoke in a state of misery. She followed the dull ache with her fingertips  up to her temple. Flakes of dried blood fell as she traced the hardened gash on her face.  Where am I?  Her eyes flashed as she took in her surroundings. The room was the size of a small broom closet with a singular staircase leading up to a solid metal door. The scrape of wood against concrete filled her ears. She slowly turned  her head, revealing a man  sitting next to her . He was gagged and blindfolded. His hands tied in front of him, with a surplus of rope pinning him to the wooden chair.    "Sir! Are you alright?" Mallory asked. She hoisted herself up, knees buckling as she stood. Long,  deep breaths kept her steady   as her head began to  spin.  She  quickly  stabi lized   herself  and began to unbind the strange man.    Blinking, the man stared at Mallory with fear and anticipation. "...