Break Free

Day Three

2:00am

I slowly and quietly moved the bookcase aside, and tip-toed down the stairs. This was the only shot I had. I was terrified. This was the only day out of this whole thing that I have actually been terrified. I couldn't afford to make one mistake, because it could cost me my life. No re-dos, no second chances. I knew I could run fast, I just didn't know if he could. I doubt it at this point.

I turned the handle of the front door, praying to God that it wouldn't wake Aaron or wouldn't set off an alarm system of some kind. The door was cracked open and no alarm went off, so I think I was fine about that aspect. Stepping out into the cold night and silently shutting the door behind me, I took off down the block and turned a few corners to ensure that it would be hard to catch up to me, let alone find me. When I got what I felt was far enough away, I went up to the door of a house that I vaguely remembered. There was an older couple who lived in this house, they were the only ones who really figured out what was happening to me and my mom, but knew they couldn't do anything about it. They helped in any way they could, but knew they couldn't overstep because of Aaron. I was hoping that they still lived here. I frantically knocked on the door, constantly looking over my shoulder. Finally, an old man answered. I recognized him, thank god, they still lived here.

"Hi, I'm Scarlet. I hope you remember me. You need to help me, please. He's going to come for me and I-" I began to cry, but then he cut me off.

"Come on, come," the man, going by the name of Frank, said as he rushed me inside and looked out into the dark street behind me as he shut the door, "Gretchen!"

An old woman then came down the hallway. The second I saw the spark in her eyes, I knew she remembered me, "Scarlet. Oh my goodness. What's the matter?" she asked as she hugged me.

"It's Aaron... He... He... Kidnapped me... He shot someone... He's drunk... He's gonna be here soon... I'm so scared... I want to go home..." I began to sob harder, and she just held me.

"Shhh... It's okay. You're safe. He can't get you here. We'll call the police." As soon as we hung up from the police, there was a furious bang at the door. I bolted for the back bedroom. Frank waited a few moments, and pretended to yawn as he slowly opened up the door. I could hear Aaron's voice from down the hallway. His words were slurred and slow, but full of anger.

"What in God's name do you want at this hour, Aaron?" Frank faked a sleepy voice.

"Where is she?"

"Who?"

"Scarlet. She ran out. Tell me, dammit!"

I could hear Gretchen shriek, followed by the sound of sirens. Finally. This would all be over. Or so I thought, until I heard loud steps come towards the room I was hiding in.

The door burst open, and I was trapped. Tears were still pouring down my face. The sirens got louder. This was all one big nightmare. Aaron grabbed me by my hair and yanked me out of the front door. We passed Frank laying on the ground, and Gretchen frozen with fear. He didn't look dead, but was definitely unconscious.

Aaron put the gun to my head, yet again. Before, I was positive that he wouldn't kill me because I was his leverage. Now? He's so drunk. There was no way to determine the outcome. The only way I would be getting out unharmed is if I was incredibly lucky. I wasn't about to take my chances. I followed Aaron's every move to avoid getting my head blown off. The cops were now at the front of the house, guns raised.

"Release the girl!" They all shouted. I knew it wouldn't do any good, "Release her now!" they repeated. Still wasn't working.

"What's in it for me?" Aaron yelled back.

"We will make arrangements. Please, just let the girl go!"

"That's not good enough!" Aaron was beginning to shake. Then I realized that he was crying. I felt the pressure on my head of where the gun was disappear. I slowly looked behind me, and realized Aaron had the gun to his own head now. He was going to kill himself. Oh my god. I still didn't want to do anything stupid, but I sure as hell didn't want to be right there for an event like that. Before I could think about what to do, I heard it and felt his body go limp. His grip on me loosened. His body fell backwards, and I just stood there in shock. I didn't want to look behind and see his lifeless body. A female cop ran up to me, and brought me to the ambulance, away from the scene. There were cars obstructing my view of the front lawn, so I wouldn't be able to see anything except for cops coming in and out of the house. The cop gave me a blanket and looked me over to make sure I didn't have any open wounds or broken bones. Once the adrenaline wore off, I lost it. I completely lost it. I couldn't sit still. I was crying, pacing, swearing. Everything. The cop tried to keep me still and tried to comfort me.

"Look at me," she said, grabbing my shoulders, "It's over. It's okay. What's your name?"

"Scarlet...?" I slowly looked up.

"Scarlet. That's a pretty name. Listen to me, Scarlet. We will take care of you until we get you back home. I will not let you out of my sight. Nothing will happen to you, I promise. It's over. Now just sit down. Do you have another parent we can call?"

I nodded, "My mom."

"Okay, great. Do you remember her phone number?"