. locks, or sort of. They looked like semi-circles made of wide steel, padded in the inside with something like leather or rubber. They were of differ...nt sizes, and she finally understood that it was a table made to hold people secured spread-eagled on it. Indeed, the small ones were laid where the wrists and ankles would be (ankles spread widely, wrists far above the head), and the bigger ones corresponding to the torso. There were some that would close just above the knees, a big one for the. We looked socute. I was really getting scared at how little I wanted to fight this.With the courage born of fear, I asked, "Could we, like, um...Couldweborrowyournecklace? Please,please,please!" My voice squeaked withnervousness.She stood up straight and looked at me with surprise. Had she gottentaller? I knew I was almost a full five feet."Well," said Marie as she tapped the necklace, "this isn't a toy, youknow."Not a toy? Did she think we were kids? We were nearly thirteen.Practically. This valley if I can call it that is only about six hundred feet across, the feeling is like some walled garden, as flowers are here in profusion. They're sweet scent filling the air of this sheltered place. Its walls shear rising seventy five or more feet yet clothed in moss and ferns on the far side a small fall of water to a pool sending out a fine mist that catches the light creating a small rainbow of color.To my right I see another opening a short cave with the dark green of the forest. He looks into her eyes, which flash like a cat’s for a moment, and smiles. “Yes, Jasmine,” he answers, trying hard to keep the anticipation from his voice.“I’m thinking of doing a paper like my last,” she says. “Maybe I’ll give another shot at something harder.”Mr. Thomas gulps hard and a part of him quickly fills with dread. He is honestly expecting her to say something different. “That is fine,” he says, managing to keep his voice steady. “Just work on the parts I marked on your last where.