Maura took off her shoe and worked at the knot on her remaining bound leg, finally releasing it and freeing herself.

“Well done sweetie.” Jane tried to remain positive, she needed Maura to focus if she was going to get out.

“Ok, slide your shoe under the chair, as close to the post as you can get it.” She instructed, watching as Maura did what she asked. “Now, stand up and turn 180 degrees.” Maura swallowed loudly, her neck was starting to burn from the cut and she was feeling a little dizzy.

“Jane, I don’t think I can do this.” She admitted. Jane looked at her, searching her eyes and pleading silently.

 “I believe in you.” Jane told her softly. “But we don’t have much time. Please try?”

Maura got to her feet and shuffled around the post so she was facing in the same direction as Jane.

“That’s it, you’re doing really well. Now, sit down and get the clip out of your shoe.” Jane watched as Maura slid down the post and reached for the shoe, her fingers knocking it over before she pulled it to her and retrieved the paperclip.

“Now, this is going to be hard Maura but I know you can do this.” Maura inhaled, forcing her mind to focus on Jane’s voice instead of the terror that pounded in her.

“Take the paperclip and straighten it out to the first bend.” Jane said softly. “Then you need to….”

“Hold on Jane.” Maura fumbled with the clip. She wasn’t as adept at working this way and even this simple task was taking its time. “Ok.”

“Put a small end into bottom of the keyhole of the cuffs. You can feel it with your fingers.”

Maura ran her fingertips over the cold metal, finding the hole and guiding the paperclip in.

“The bottom?” she asked, suddenly unsure if she was doing anything right.

“Yeah.” Jane was getting irritated, she knew they didn’t have a lot of time and yet she didn’t want to rush her friend. “There’s the large bit, then near your wrist, it gets smaller.”

Maura closed her eyes and pictured the shape of a standard keyhole. Teasing the metal slowly, she managed to get it into the right place. “Ok, I have it.” She sounded uncertain but waited for Jane to tell her what to do next.