Susan could feel the poison taking effect

She bent over in pain, her arms folded across her stomach. The nausea was getting worse. Her head was pounding and she had to concentrate to hear what her captor was saying.

"It's very simple, Susan. I don't want you around! I was sure the first couple of incidents would scare you off, but they didn't. So I had to resort to more drastic measures, didn't I?"

The room began to spin and Susan closed her eyes. She had to stay conscious--she had to! It was a matter of life and death, for no one knew where she was, no one would hear her if she screamed.