Bloody Paintbrush

Chapter 17

It's been over a month since Eri's been captured. Jennet has been looking non-stop for Eri. Silas notified Tallie to let her know. They've all been helping to find Eri and bring her home.

Jennet got the police involved, but they haven't been doing shit.

"Killer? What the hell did he mean by that?" Silas asked.

Jennet finished making tea and offered both Tallie and Silas some. "Thank you," Tallie said.

"It's been a stressful month," Jennet started. "And for your question, Silas, both you and Tallie grab a chair and sit."

"Ever since Eri was an infant she's been experimented on," Jennet began, "Her parents were scientist involved in illegal activities. Her, and many more were born just for one purpose, to be experiments.

At the age of 7, she miraculously escaped. She met a boy around her age, a few years older, named Dolas. His father was the leader of a gang. Dolas saved her, and from there on they fell in love.

She was a skilled fighter. Dolas recognized that and wanted to use her as a weapon.

She was abused by him and his gang for years because that's not what she wanted. She cried to per parents about wanting to create art, but they didn't listen. The same thing happened with Dolas.

He forced her to do things she wasn't comfortable doing. She successfully fled from his environment at the age of 14, and I adopted her," Jennet explained.

"Wow, that's crazy," Silas said, shocked.

"That's so sad," Tallie said, downheartedly.

"Yeah, I know. Eri has been traumatized and hurt in so many ways. I just wanted her to finally be happy," Jennet cried, placing the palm of her hands against her forehead.

Tallie got up, heading towards Jennet; and softly waved her hand against her back. "I'm sure Eri had nothing but gratitude towards you," Tallie said.

"Thank you for that," Jennet said wiping her tears, then placing her hand on top of Tallies.

Meanwhile with Eri,

"You ready for your next mission?" Dolas asked. Eri nodded signaling yes. She barley spoke and was very closed off.

"Come on, baby, don't be like that," Dolas said approaching closer to Eri attempting to embrace her.

"Get away, please," Eri pushed, trembling.

Dolas slapped Eri for pushing him. "Don't forget who your boss is," He said.

Eri cried herself to sleep almost every night. Every since she escaped the first time, security has been more uptight.

But no worries. After March 14th, freedom awaited Eri.

Everyday Eri monitored the schedules of the men and created many different ways of getting through them. She had many different possible scenarios, and many back up plans.

It was life or death. If she made one error, it was over.

I escaped once, surely I can do it again. Eri thought.

March was approaching and Eri kept the same routine until she was confident that her plan would execute smoothly.

March 14 came, and Eri prepared everything.

12am, and Eri replaced herself with an identical dummy made from scratch.

She then shut the power down. That was the key to opening her door. She ran as fast as she could and did not look back.

She encountered a few men, but took care of them swiftly.

"Sir, something is going on in department B," said a man on the radio.

"Don't worry, it's all going according to plan,"

"Sweet naive, Eri. You won't be escaping... not on my watch," Dolas finished.

Eri arrived at the exit and entered a code.

"Password invalid," said the female bot.

Eri's eyes widen and her whole body shook with fear.

What the hell?! Eri thought.

She calmed down, and entered the code once again.

"Password invalid," said the female bot.

"Having some technical difficulties?"

Eri cries inside, realizing the voice behind her. No... She thought.

"You really think I'd let you escape?" Dolas laughed, "I know you're clever. So I kept tabs on you. Hidden cameras in your room," Dolas explained.

Bastard! Eri yelled inside.

"A pet is what you are. A pet is what you were born to be. A pet is your purpose,"

Those words stung. All Eri want in life is to be free to do whatever, to be whoever.

"No," Eri said.

"Hmm? No?" Dolas questioned.

Pulling a bluff, Eri looked him dead in the eye to intimidate him.

This distraction should give her enough time to pull one of her back up plans.

Eri bolted through Dolas and his men while distracted, and ran all the way to the back exit.

"That clever little bitch," Dolas chuckled, "After her!" He demanded.

Eri made it to the exit, and bombed the door open. Running to Jennet's house.