It's the first time in a long while I have felt some bit of sanity left in me. The shadow man that I hate now more than ever has gone into the woods, laughing. I know he'll be back in exactly twenty-four hours to hear my decision. If only I was strong enough to walk.
“Annie?” The man calls again.
“Your daughter is safe,” I say back. I wonder how long he has been here.
“Who...are...you? Where's Annie?” He's trying to see me but I can tell he's in too much pain to move much.
“My name is Vanessa, I-I bargained with...him. She's in my house. Safe. With my family...” I lose my voice for a few minutes. Neither of us says anything. My neck is cramping; it's awkwardly propped against the wall, the rest of me straight as a board, flat on my back. “We...” My voice dies. I start again. “We have to get back.”
There's a long moment of silence. “How?”
A small fire begins to kindle within me. “I will not leave either of us to die here!” My rage gives me strength. Somehow I sit up. “We are going to stop this absurdity! I will not stand for it! Or sit! Or lie down...or...or...” I break. My courage and rage levels fall drastically. Like blood pressure. I start to cry, wrenching sobs. “I just want to go home...”
Annie's dad looks at me in pity. I can tell he is trying to comfort me even though he cannot move.
“How could we get out? We're incapacitated.”
I look at him. He's a very average man: about six foot, black hair that was slicked perfectly sideways on top once, brown eyes like Annie, long fingers. Now, his fingers have blood weaved around them, fresh and dried; his hair is disheveled; his eyes dull, bags beneath them; dirt and grime smear his face. There are scrapes on his face. His ankles are also wrapped in thorns like mine. We are a piteous sight to see.
“I-I don't kn-know.” I can't keep a tremor out of my voice.
“We won't die here. I won't let us,” his voice comes out as a hoarse whisper; I can hardly hear him, except for the dead quiet.
Then, a movement startles us. We turn our heads, eyes wide, to see my father appear in a heavy, puffy coat—holding a flashlight and peering around anxiously.
“Dad!” I screech. “Dad! I'm right here! Please, come! Please! Come rescue us! Dad!” My throat feels like it's ripping.
“Vanessa...he won't hear you.” I ignore Mr. Marsh.
“Dad! Over here!” He shakes his head, sighs, and turns to a group of people behind him. I can't make out who they are, but I know my family is among them.
“I don't know how we can do this. Explain it to me again, will you?” He heads off with the group of people.
“Dad! No! Don't leave us! Please, Dad! Daddy, oh, Daddy...” I hang my head and sob as he disappears. It's hopeless. We're never going to escape. Despair crashes over me in waves. In my moments of desperation, Mr. Marsh has found the strength to get over to me. I don't care how, all I know is that he is beside me and is trying to comfort me as I cry.
He doesn't realize that in the midst of my own grief—I can hear him crying too.
YOU ARE READING
The Endless Night
Action"...never walk out alone..." Rumors have haunted the property around the little cottage for years. Vanessa Görtz and her family have just moved in and her parents are taking these rumors seriously. Vanessa decides to take matters into her own hands...
