𝐀 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝

chapter 24: kidnappers (Lily)

      We didn’t waste a moment after Ezra told us to run. I could only assume that something was coming and that we needed leave. Could they have come because of us? Did we just lead these people to this innocent family? Now was not the time to think about this.
     We all ran up stairs, grabbed a bag and started throwing things frantically in the bag. I took my wand, a few clothes, the Portal Ray, Ringer, flashlight, my adoption form, and that was it.
      Amy pulled on my arm strongly.
      “Lily, we have to go now.” I could hear fear in her voice. She was usually so brave.
      We met everyone else in the hallway and started to go down the stairs but we heard something that made everyone stop in their tracks. Voices. Voices that didn’t belong to Lyra or Ezra.
      Everyone scrambled back up the stairs and quietly as we could. We all hid behind the wall connecting it to the stairs. There was no way they could see us now. We all looked at each other with panicked faces.
      One of the voices that was deep and rough came from down stairs. He said, “ where are they?”
       “We don’t have them.” Ezra said boldly. I could imagine him with a blank face, impossible to read. On the other hand I could imagine Lyra, her eyes wide, clinging to her husband’s arm.
       I moved my head to sneak a peek at them. Out of the corner of my eye I could see Emmet shaking his head no. I didn’t care. If we were going to get out of here we needed to know where they were in the house.
       I pulled my head slowly out to the side of the wall just enough to see them. What I saw made my heart stop. They were all standing in the dinner room. Two guys covered in black with black masks covering everything but their eyes. They both looked muscular and tall. They stood on one side of the table and on the other side was Lyra and Ezra. Just like I thought, Ezra had a blank face on. He seemed strong and bold but still I could see sweat going down his neck. Lyra had wide eyes and was clinging on to Ezra’s arms. She was so pale and looked like her legs were going to go out anytime soon. The thing that caught my eye was that in between the two guys arms was Rose and Wren. Their hands were tied back and they were both gagged with a piece of duck tape. They both looked horrible. Rose’s hair was all ruffled and she looked like she had a few bruises, nothing compared to Wren. Wren, oh, Wren. He was completely knocked out and was hanging limply holded up by one of the guys. He looked like he had a black eye and lots of cuts and bruises. All because of me. What have I done? I suddenly regret the last time we talked. I regret it all. Now that I see him like this. I know in my heart that I can not last without him.
       I jerked my head back against the wall and told everyone what I saw. They all nodded back with concerned faces. I know what they saw on my face. My almost crying eyes from seeing Wren and Rose in that state. My best friend and the person who raised me beat up and captured all because of me. I need to get them out of there.
       Emmet was next to me and he knew how much Wren and Rose meant to me. He wrapped his arms around me into a tight hug. I was surprised at first but after a second I leaned into his arms. I felt safe, like nothing was going to get me.
      “I know what you are thinking. This is not your fault. We are going to get them back. Just not right now.” He whispers in my ear.
       I took a few deep breaths and with Emmets reassuring, words tears were not going to over take me anymore.
       Amy cleared her throat and said, “We need to come up with a plan.” Right. Emmet unwrapped his arms from me leaving me blushing like a little girl.
       It wouldn’t be long before they come up the stairs to see what’s up here. I started thinking about all of the exits. The backdoor, way too close to the dinner room. The front door was definitely not an option. All that was left was the windows. The windows!
       “Guys, the window is our only option.” I whispered.
       They all nodded back with determination.
       We all moved to the spare bedroom that me and Amy stayed in. The little window was just enough to fit one person and there was a tree growing just close enough for us to climb on.
       “Lily, you go first.” Amy says. I was too panicked to argue.
       I stepped onto the ledge of the window knowing there was no time to waste. I reached out my arms as far as I could and barely grabbed a brunch that was big enough for me to climb onto. Shakely, I pulled my foot onto the brunch and pulled the rest of my body on it. I was pretty sure that this brunch was sturdy enough to hold me but I couldn’t help but think that I was going to fall. My heart was beating fast in my ears but I knew time was of the essence. I clambered my way to the truck of the tree and moved from branch to branch all the way down the tree.
       I finally made it to the ground and let out a deep breath. Just when I touched the ground Amy started coming down the tree. Then Alice and finally Emmet. But when Emmet was half way through the branch it started to sway and crack. He froze. There was too much weight on it. We tired it out. We were waving him over telling him to get on quickly before it snapped.  He finally unfroze, sliding as quickly and quietly as he could.
       So far there was no sign that the kidnappers realized what was going on and hopefully it stayed that way. At least until we were far far away from this place.
        We all trailed our eyes after Emmet inch by inch. Praying the branch didn’t break and give off our location.
        Thankfully Emmet made it safely to the truck. That filled me with relief. The branch was now hanging barely on a thread. We needed to get out of here. Quickly!
        A strong gust of wind shook the tree and the branch finally gave its last breath then “CRACK” The branch snapped in half giving out the loudest sound ever.
        I could hear footsteps crashing down in the house just to get outside. Emmet was still in the tree. I could hear him say
       “screw it” and jumped down from the tree. He landed in a superhero pose somehow not breaking his legs. I rolled my eyes, fighting a smile.
        “We need to get out of here!” Yelled Amy. “They are going to come out any second.”
        So we ran like the wind towards the deep forest where we will be perfectly hidden. Just as we were about to enter the forest I looked back one last time at the peaceful cottage and the two men dressed in all black chasing after us. Leaving Rose and Wren all alone. 
      
      
N/A: sorry this took so long!