The rope tightens around my leg, my waist, my arm. The first thought in my head: kidnapping attempt. Must break free.
Struggling, I grip the rope, which feels slick but also leathery. Or rubbery. A rubber hose? Who uses a hose to kidnap someone? Unless it's some kind of devious magical rope. It smells rubbery. It smells familiar ...
It won't budge, whatever it is. Wriggling, squirming, applying pressure, pulling, none of it works. The sweat drips off me, and you would think that the slickness of my body would cause the rope or whatever it is to slacken. No dice.
Daji grumbles, "Stop squirming, I'm trying to sleep."
"Stop grumbling and help me!"
Flicking on the light globe with a touch of her hand, she takes stock of my predicament and pounces instantly with her claws. "There will be none of that!"
Sinking her sharp claws into the rope gets a definite reaction. A foghorn-like wail of pain, followed by a deep rumble and whimper. I know that whimper.
