The ashes we left behind

Chapter 2

I had always been the dumb one. But, surprisingly, I was the one who succeeded the most at school. Concerning Hailey, she used to be the girl who would sneak out of school, get drunk with her friends and get good grades by cheating at exams. She was the bad girl of the family. We both were a calamity and a shale for our family. My grades were better than Hailey's but not the best I could get. So I understand why my parents weren't proud of us. That issue was the result of a huge division in our family. Even Hailey and I hated each other until both our parents died...

I try not to let the memories of our childhood distract me from what's happening. It has been around twenty minutes that Hailey is fighting the guy. My only desire is to stop from hearing the painful groans coming from my sister's mouth. I can hear how weak she is getting as the guy beat her to death. All I have to do is to wait until my sister's defeat. She isn't going to win and she knows it. So I stay silent, her voice becoming my new music.

"Try to move and I cut your throat", the guy says a few minutes later. I hear Hailey spit on him. Good for him! I hope worse is going to happen to him.

I hold the necklace in my hand, tightly while watching my tears falling on my hand. I continue to wait until I hear the house's door getting close. I discretely get up and open the drawer. The room is still dark. I don't turn the lights on. It would only attract the attention of the wrong people.

I hurry to my backpack in what I put some things I will need. Then, I leave the house, a knife in my hand just in case.

The building's corridors are empty. Everybody is sleeping while a seventeen years old girl is running away. I know the path that takes to Connor and the others. So I just take it, borrowing different empty streets.

I'm very close to the gang's reunion place which means that I don't have to worry. But the two women who are approaching me tell the complete opposite.

"Hey, you!" one of them yells.

I stop and look at them, petrified.

"Yes, you!" the other shouts.

"Do you need something?" I ask, trying to keep my voice clear and fearless.

When they start to get too close to me, I slowly walk in reverse. I can't see their faces because of the darkness. But I can smell the cigarettes they have just finished to smoke.

"Our car is dead. And, yeah, we need you to help us."

"I'm sorry", I reply, "I'm bad at car things and... I have to go so..."

"So what? You're going to leave us here, alone?" the other says. Surprisingly, she doesn't seem nervous neither angry. Her voice is as cold as the wind surrounding us.

"I'm so sorry, girls."

But before I could move away, both of them grab me by each arm and take me to the car.

"Just come see."

"No!" I finally shout, my whole body shaking to death.

"Don't be scared. We only want you in the car."

"In the car?!"

Confused, I let them take me to the corner of the street where the car is settled. I don't move. I don't know what to do. They are two. I'm alone. But I've been learning how to fight for almost two years. Having Hailey as a sister means to know how to protect myself, no matter the circumstances. So why am I worried at present? Those girls aren't professional fighters. Maybe they are. However, it doesn't mean that I shouldn't try. I can't let them ruin me even though I'm already kind of ruined...

So the moment one of them opens the door of the backseat, I push my elbow as hard as I can on the other's chest, aiming well her sensible part. It works since she lets me go while covering her hurt breasts with her arms. I can finally run.

My plans fade away the second I feel someone's feet hitting my back too violently for me to ignore it. I moan of pain but don't let myself fall. I can't. God, it's hurting. Plus, she's wearing high heels which is worse. This time, she grabs my ponytail and pulls it to the ground's direction until I'm lying on it.

She doesn't hesitate to put the bottom of her heels on my belly as if she has won a fighting competition. She digs deeper and deeper in my skin until I let a groan slip from my lips. I have to bite them in order to stop. I want to scream so bad!

"I have the ropes", the one I have beat says.

"Good. Tie her wrists."

She has to remove her foot from my body to tie my wrists. I take the opportunity to push her as hard as I can. It works! Then I get up and push her again.

After hitting her one more time, I flee from the other who is trying to follow me. I run past the streets as fast as my feet are capable of. She's still following me. I'm getting closer to the Cursed house. The only chance to save myself is to get to the it. But If she learns about my future hiding place, I'm screwed up. So I have to mislead her.

I finally arrive to the street where the house is located. I can see it facing me.

I cross the small street to get to the other side. I continue to run in order to put a maximum of distance between me and the house I want to enter so bad.

When I perceive a huge tree with tons of leaves, I find the best opportunity. I turn to check if she's still following. Indeed. Except that she is a little far. Moreover, the darkness of the night will prevent her from seeing me climbing the tree.

It's easier than I thought it would be. I'm not used to climb walls and trees like the gang of Hailey. But I did it anyway. And, here I am, sitting on a branch, hidden by green dark leaves. My skin is full of scratches.

It has been at least twenty minutes since I'm watching the women looking for me. They're finally gone.

I get down the tree and run to the gang's reunion place. The house hasn't changed since the last time I visited it. From the outside, it looks like an old haunted manor. Maybe it is. I've never really been inside the house. Hailey's friends usually take place in the basement.

I knock, hoping someone would be there. By chance, I hear the door getting opened by a handsome guy that I know very well.

"Mackenzie?" he says, frowning his brows.

"Co... Connor", I mumble, realizing how my voice is choking. I'm crying...

Connor stares at me from head to toe not to enjoy my exceptional beauty but to examine everything the kidnappers have done to me. In a fraction of second, his eyes turn from confused to angry.

"Who did this to you?" he demands in a cold tone.

"It doesn't matter for the moment... Connor, something happened..."

"What did- "

"Hailey... She's in danger... Someone took her away..."