Wildest Dreams

t w en t y - o n e

I was putting towels inside my bag when the lock of the door clicked. A streak of light from outside came in to my cluttered room. Grandma gazed down at me as she stood by the door. A mix of sympathy and annoyance in her eyes.

"Dinner is ready," she said in her soft voice.

"I'm not hungry."

"You have to eat, you haven't eaten since lunch."

"You locked me in." I glanced at her as I leaned back on my bed. My bag hiding underneath.

"Now you're not. We're not locking you in anymore unless you behave. Your grandfather would like to talk to you downstairs as well," she told me.

I rolled my eyes, sighing, as I headed to the door. Grandma closed it behind me and we went downstairs.

I washed my hands first before eating, the smell of iron enveloping for hours. I sat silently in the table and ate the dinner prepared.

"You truly are your mother's daughter," Grandpa started.

"When she sets her mind onto something, no matter how dangerous, she does it. She was reckless with a heart. So when we sat beside her on the hospital bed, I couldn't get the idea out of my head that maybe I was the reason why she was there right now. Maybe I was not gripping the belt to tight or I was too soft-hearted for my dear Jessica to let her be on her way. That, or I wasn't strong enough to shield her from what was out there."

Grandpa clasped his hand and rested it on the table. I ate my food quicker and drank water.

"I can't do those things for her when she was still alive, when she still lived with us here in Springwood."

I finished my food and was about to stand up when Grandma pushed my shoulders down, letting me sit again as she brushed my hair.

"But we can do that for you. We can teach you proper manners and good moral, instead of keeping that rebellious character of yours."

"You can't do that," I pleaded, shaking my grandmother's hand away from me.

"Why not?" She asked. "We're only trying to help you, as family."

"How would know what family is? You steal from me, you exploited my father's family name. My mother knew what kind you were and that's why she ran away."

SLAP

My right cheek stung like the skin had been scorched, and I just realized it was also the same place where Krueger had slashed me.

"Now, now. There's no need to be violent." Grandpa walked towards us and placed a hand on his wife's shoulder.

"Maple, we only want what's best for you. You're still growing and we can help lead a better life. Your mother and father would've wanted this for you."

I shook my head as a tear rolled down my face.

"You only want this because you think it will repay your sins, that it would satisfy my mom knowing I would have the life she could have had."

Grandpa knelt down and took my hand. His eyes had a glimmer in them that was nothing helpful at all. "We're doing this because we love you."

He kissed my head and stood up again.

"Now go to bed and sleep. We'll go to the hospital tomorrow and have your wounds treated."

Grandma gave me a hug and kissed my head as well, but neither felt sincere, or anything I wished for. I went to my room with tears still slowly streaming down my face.

I have to get out of this place.

#  #  #

There was shuffling up the stairs around 9 o'clock. I quickly covered my bag under the blanket and laid on the bed. The door slightly opened.

"It's been days since her last sleep. I'm glad she's getting it back faster," Grandma whispered.

"Yes, she'll be fine very soon," replied Grandpa.

"Goodnight Jessica."

The door closed again and the lock clicked. Escaping was harder than expected.

. . .

Later that night, when I knew my grandparents were sleeping soundly, I turned on my desk light and took out my bag. I checked the door again, which was still unfortunately locked.

I walked over to my drawer where I kept my own replicates of the house keys. I found the one for my door and the front one. With a small click in the keyhole, the door was unlocked. I turned off the light and headed out of the room without looking back. I tip-toed down the stairs, glancing once in a while in my grandparents' bedroom, making sure they were still asleep.

I reached the front door, key in hand, but what I didn't expect was there was a new lock on the door, one that makes a loud sound when removed.

I pulled out my lock-picking card and slid it between the door and the lock. Unfortunately, it didn't budge at all.

"A deadbolt. Shit."

Going to the back door, it was the same thing. I had to find another way out as quickly as possible. I went upstairs again to find out that the balcony doors were unguarded.

Silently, I turned the old handles and opened a small space for me to pass through. I closed the door behind me and faced the pitch black backyard. The peaceful sight of the sky empty of the stars and moon seemed like I was dreaming, but the cold gust of wind snapped me out of my thoughts.

Opening the side of my bag, I grabbed my flashlight, switched it on to help me guide my way. Beside me, over the balcony barriers, were ledges of windows that can lead me down to the ground unharmed.

"I could've destroyed the lock instead, but yeah, here I am being a ninja," I whispered to myself as I set my foot on one ledge, my hand grabbing the barrier tight just in case. Carefully, I made my way until I have to jump down. I ended up trampling the grass and some flowers.

"Goodbye Grandpa, goodbye Grandma," I uttered like a nursery rhyme as I dusted off the dirt of my pants then ran to the streets, not looking back and not an inch of regret.