Forgotten (original version)

Chapter 9

I run as fast as my legs can carry me as she chases after me holding a dagger. I watch the ground to be sure I don't trip on a tree root. I will never make that mistake again.

"YOU'RE NEVER GOING TO GET AWAY." She screams. I promise myself that I will. I am getting out of this alive.

The leaves crunch under my feet as I bolt around trees, ducking under low branches. I turn my head for a split second and see Voletta charging at me with her head lowered, and dagger pointing up. She is only a few feet away from me.

I push myself harder, faster.

GO FASTER GO FASTER GO FASTER. I tell myself. I push my legs so hard it feels like they're on fire. And yet, when I look over my shoulders again, Voletta is still right on my tail. I remember my promise, and I weave between the trees. In and out.

There's no use in even running. Voletta sings.

I'll stab you so hard, your blood will be gushing. I suck in a breath. This wasn't the sister I know.

In the night you'll thrash and scream. She gets closer.

The horror you're seeing will be me. She finishes the song as she throws the dagger. It cuts my arm and I let out a gasp, but I keep running. I push myself harder still. To the point where I think my heart might burst. I turn around to see how far back she is but I don't see her at all.

Cry your pathetic little eyes out. She continues singing. I can't tell where the voice is coming from.

You'll be so scared you'll let out a shout. I spin around, trying to see her.

You can't run, and you can't hide. I start hyperventilating.

From the fate that I've aligned. I turn around and see her standing right in front of me, smiling creepily.

"Hello!" She says in a creepy robotic voice. I scream as she pins me to the ground.

"Where should I carve out first?" She asks me, holding the dagger close to my face.

"Please." I whisper. "Don't do this."

She lets out a bitter laugh, "You wish." She lowers the dagger to my face and drags it along the edges of my lips. Blood pools into my mouth but I don't dare scream. It's a shallow cut, but that doesn't make it any less painful. I choke on my own blood, and I want to cough, but I can't. I started squirming and thrashing and trying to get out of her grasp, but she would never let go.

"Going somewhere?" She asks me. I start shaking uncontrollably due to the lack of oxygen. She gives me the creepiest smile I've ever seen.

After a few more seconds, her eyes go back to normal. She jumps off of me and flips me over. I spit out the blood that was pooling in the back of my throat. I let out a cry of pain as I hover a shaky hand over my lips.

"I'm so sorry." Voletta whispers. "I tried to tell you I-"

"It's ok. You tried to warn me." I mutter. My voice is slurred because of the cuts around my lips. It feels like someone shoved a few needles into my lips and just left them there.

"I still feel bad . . ."

"I'm ok. Really." I told her. But my face was pale from losing so much blood. Voletta helps me to the creek so I can wash my face. I'm shaking so bad I'm unable to hold the water in my hands, so my sister helps me. The cold water splashes against my face in a relaxing manner. I let out a sigh of relief as the ice cold water soothes the bruises now forming around my lips. Voletta is the first to break the awkward silence.

"So . . . What's your plan to get Harry back?" She asks me.

"And Dani." I corrected. "And quite frankly, I have absolutely no clue. I've already almost died a few times so I probably need to be more careful." I decide.

"I won't be going with you." Voletta whispers.

"What? Why not?!"

"Because I . . . I'm unpredictable. I don't ever wanna hurt you again." I pull Voletta into a hug.

"I don't care. We'll figure it out, ok?"

"Luci, please. I don't want you, Dani or Harry in danger."

"I don't know if you've noticed, but we already kind of are." I say sarcastically. Voletta rolls her eyes.

"Luci . . . I am not going. That's final."

"Ok." I whisper. I pull my long lost sister into a hug. Tears spill down my cheeks. I squeeze her tight one last time before I turn and run away.