Ball and Chain

There it was again.

Olga awoke with a start. She knew what she would find if she searched the house.

Nothing.

But she looked anyway.

Restless, she returned to bed. Donald hadn't even noticed she was gone, dreaming on with a stupid grin.

Olga closed her eyes and heard the rattle of chains again. She couldn't move. A chain around her ankle was held fast in Donald's hands. He leered at her with hungry eyes.

When she woke again, Olga couldn't see the chain, but she knew it was there. It didn't matter—a bedsheet could strangle just as well.