Sensation. Cannot resolve it in the haze of near unconsciousness.

Engrossed in slumber's wondrous arms, didn’t wish siesta to end. The sensation paused a bit then resumed. Why that uncomfortable feeling not retreat?

Hardest yet. Wanted to utter "Ow", alas consciousness hadn't taken hold.

Hold?

Couldn't process, rather begin thinking of processing, when a fresh awareness. Burning...no stinging.

Consciousness finally drops like worse hangover. Eyes snap awake.

...to darkness but faint light illuminates all. This night? Or rather want to verbally exclaim, but then no words escape now.

...processing that distracted by pain. The body agonized by numerous, miniscule stings. Many same moments, others staggered.

...mouth...want to speak, yelp in pain. Muffled through a gagged orifice.

WHAT IN HELL?!!! Screams from the soul.

A muffled, “Ow.” A kick to back of the lower leg. There's company, unable to see anyone oddly in front. They register a presence definitely. Could feel them. Their natural inclination is to move. Writhing, fidgeting as they will, are fixed in place.

Sensors in the body transmit to the brain to process are secured fast by rope and that presence is the person tied back-to-back with. Could hear their muffled cry, both their mouths gagged.

Terror, panic, stress and latter’s cold sweat wrapped in a single mass. Rapidly supplanting the bleariness.

Initial sensation the guy felt were kicks delivered to waken him. Their partner's muffled communication all the more acute.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

She, his...the stings continued the hurt. He applied strength to roll both bodies a few times. An onerous task. Just as well. The woman had waked first, tormented by the ants’ nest as him, being they atop it.

The stinging would remain time being. Trying next to undo a too tight rope frustratingly undoable. Proper speech denied them from the obstruction in their mouths.

At last, he waked. Took everything inside. Long as he immobile nobody could try freeing themselves. Luna's light source revealed the wilderness. They'd lain on pure ground, cold as the air.

She distinctly can feel his form pressed against her back.

The man, Pictares, heard muffling of hers, he need not guess she wanted the rope undone. The ambient creature noises picked up amidst their pang. His brain...too slow for Cisnera, he felt back of her skull impact back of hers. A reverse type of headbutt. Wanted his attention.

The duo lay on their sides. No means to offer ideas normally, followed Cisnera's lead to rise to her feet. Awkwardly shifted their bodies, bending and straightening four feet, hands less handy.

And stand they did with effort. No time wasting, Pictares felt her body fidgeting to undo the bonds. Freeing their sore mouths cannot happen till their arms...well could rise to reach them.

Upright no more helpful than laying down. Cisnera felt her hope dashed. Pictares elects to start walking. Any direction. Expecting compliance, unable to express shock, she muffles in protest and holds her position. Next began walking the opposite way.

Both walking their own direction. Well tried. The rope kept them same spot.

One way to forget ant stings.

He gave in and let her take lead. She walking forward, Pictares walking backward and clumsily at that.

Feet bare touch the ground. Briefest respite when a foot lifted off terra firma, only to feel any dirt or protruding stone making the down motion.

Minutes had come and went, stings had near wholly ended, at least no one thought to affix a blindfold. Out the blue both receive a new sensation. Tumbling a few seconds and a stop.

The little hill left minor bruising and bleeding and pain. Happens if near sightless in the dark.

Wanted to set free a scream alas beyond either's power. In a while get around to picking themselves up. What else could defy their fate but keep walking? Cisnera retained dominant lead. Sound of footsteps, panting and creatures company.

The fall made a cut in part the rope's thickness. Surely a rock's edge. Fortune in hardship.

The cut barely discernable in Luna light. Pictares nudges his partner toward a tree clump, who assumed a rest spot, unable to outright confirm naturally.

Reaching, he positions the damaged area against a tree and begins rubbing. Cisnera assumes correctly a way to sever the bonds and lends her body to the action, reinforced when she spots the tear.

In the middle of this burst for freedom a wolf happens upon them. Scarcely 15 feet away, the startled couple gripped by fear, feel it'd strip their bones.

Instinct obliged Pictares to scream panicked, coming out as muffles and kicked furiously. The canid's curiosity brought it here. Disappeared into the darkness.

Desperate, the couple continue with the tree a good while longer, expanding the tear. Desire to live paid off. The rope fell to the ground with a final fidget. Mouth gag quickly follows.

The mouth soreness would take time to make its departure.

They turn and face the other. Speak of what caused their plight - were

cheating lovers and paid for their attraction, accused of in someone’s eyes, delictum, dipped in cruelty, bound how they woke up, drugged to unconsciousness and dumped in the wild.