After the medics and Keith had finally left us alone, Mallory had said she knew how to get me out of here—at least to somewhere safer before getting me out. I feel awful I really do. After just being told her grandfather is a psycho maniac she is still willing to help me out. If I were her I would be terrified...
She walks quickly but silently down the hall. I can sense she is feeling slightly bothered by the issue. I do my best to comfort her.
“It's going to be okay Mallory, we're going to fix this...”
“Yeah, I know,” she whispers, “I just don't think I should tell my mom. She might take it kind of hard, you know? But anyway, thanks Vanessa...”
“Nessie, you can call me Nessie.”
“Nessie. I like it,” she smiles slightly.
“So where are they? Down this hall? Or do we turn into one of these other ones?”
“We turn down at the end of this one.” Mallory points to our destination, barely visible in the dim light. We rush as quickly and as quietly as we can down the hall and turn right at the end of it. We pass some pretty old looking doors that seem as though something important is behind them and I ask warily, “Should I really be seeing this? And why does everything look so ancient? I thought you said Anthony built this not that long ago.”
“He did, but he was smart enough not to make it look too modern. If anyone ever finds this place all they'll see is some ancient, locked doors that lead to nowhere. At least that's what they'll think.”
“Is that why he left all the tunnels like they are?” I ask agitated as water drips onto my head; some places in the underground facility have a constant stream of water dripping down their walls.
“Shhh!” She hisses. I freeze.
Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.
“No...” I breathe out. Mallory clamps a hand over my mouth. I can feel my foot starting to throb inside the boot. That noise. I've heard it before...
Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.
“They're getting closer!” Mallory whispers.
My mind starts racing. I see images of the forest whipping away as I run through it. I hear the thumping far louder now. I can hear Annie scream. Feel the wind dragging me back to the forest. See the necklace in his invisible hands. Feel it around my neck again...
My knees buckle and I crumple to the floor next to Mallory. I would say that I'm unconscious, except that I'm not. I keep seeing the images but now and then I'll catch a glimpse of one of the torches on the walls. I can hear voices too, but I don't really know what they are saying. I'm blinded by the images and the thumping. It gets louder and louder until I physically cannot bear it any longer. I involuntarily open my mouth to scream when it stops. I realize that I'm lying on my stomach somehow and I suck in a silent, gasping breath. I feel like I've swam to the bottom of a swimming pool and surfaced, my lungs clawing for air as I float in the water. My eyes widen and I slowly lay my head on the ground; the stone floor suddenly feels nicely cold.
I don't know how long I lie there or if I lose consciousness at all, but I regain my senses and am trying to sit up. As I do, I notice a bright silver glint in the light of the torch. Instantly I put my hand to my neck and feel a chain there. Panicking a little, I wonder if my visions were real—
No, it's impossible, I think.
For some reason I can't get the necklace off. I try to take a closer look at it in the torch light; that's when I see the letters MAM inscribed on the front of the charm in curly letters. MAM... what could that stand for? Do I know anyone with those initials? Maybe... A thought hits me in the head like a hammer. Mallory McIntire! This must be her necklace! Where is she anyway?
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...
