The Twelve Year Old Thief

The Twelve Year Old Thief (6)

"Why can't I leave?!?!" I asked in shock.  They found it!  I have nothing against them except for my words now!

"You know too much of our project.  We can't let you go now," replied Robert.

"Robert, buddy, I've been kidnapped.  I think I know what's best for me now.  I don't want this to happen again-TRUST me."  I glanced at the circle that had formed around me.  Some of their faces seemed as if they were almost convinced, but others weren't nearly as close.

"Anna, honey," he replied in the same tone I used.  I scowled as he continued, "We don't know if we'll always get the truth from a little twelve year old.  So we have to play it safe.  You'll be staying with us until we can find a way to erase your memory."

I giggled.  That turned into a chuckle.  And that turned into a hysterical laughing fit.  The guys just stared at me with amused and confused confessions.

"You. . .really think. . .you can. . ."  I continued laughing like a maniac as they tried to interpret what I was saying.  When I settled, which took a while, I said, "How the heck do you think you're going to erase my memory?"

"We'll think of something eventually," Rob said.

To my relief, Chris spoke up.  "Rob, I-" he stoppd as he saw the glare Robert sent him.  "I mean, Robert, sir, I really don't think it's possible to erase a human's memory.  None of us could call ourselves scientists.  No chance."  Finally, someone with common sense!

"Who's side are you on, anyways?" demanded Robert.  "I hired you to make me rich, not side with the useless girl we kidnapped!"

"Robert, you're insane!  Useless?  Really?  You wouldn't even be here right now if it wasn't for me!  I told you where the note would be.  I didn't try to escape, I didn't even threaten to tell everyone about this project."  I was almost in tears when I finished.  It had just hit me how long I'd been away from my family.  It had just occured to me how much I missed them.  Sniffling, I said, "Just take me home."

I received sympathetic glances, but their faces returned to the usual looks of authority.  Now was the time to escape!  I took advantage of my tears-which were continuing to threat to spill-and started moving my fingers as if they were stiff.  Then I 'itched' my head and stealthily removed a bobby pin from my messed up hair (blame that on the dumpster digging).

I have to do this quick.  As the men huddled to talk, I tried to stick the pin in the lock.  I turned, but to no avail.  I took it back out and straightened it completely, trying again.  No such luck.  As I knew my time was almost out, I bent it back into place and used the back and stuck it in.  Bingo!  Third time's a charm!

When the men finished talking, I pretended the hand cuffs were still firmly in place.  They started looking at each other, then rested their gazes on me.  "We decided that-"

I started running as fast as I could.  I didn't turn back.  I heard the hand cuffs meet the concrete as I just sprinted towards the fence.  I used the rope and took it with me as I left so it'd be harder for the guys to catch me.  All I could hear then were men shouting.  That'll get them caught, I thought.

I neared a four-way street and looked to my left, then right, and went straight.  My house was to the left but I didn't have time.  I had to ditch them first.

I could hear foot steps behind me.  Darn, they move fast!  I thought the shock of the moment would leave them trailing a little farther behind, but of course that didn't happen.

I heard an engine and silently screamed.  I cut left through my community's old park.  They couldn't take their van through there, at least.  The men were catching up, so I went right and knocked hastily on the nearest house's door.

I could hear rustling inside.  I banged again with my knuckles.  They turned red.  A light turned on and an elderly woman stepped outside.  "Oh my, you look exhausted!  Please, come in."

Relief flooded through me as I stepped inside and closed the door behind me, making sure it was completely locked.  I then ferociously flipped my head around and found the kitchen.  I picked up one of the chairs and put it firmly under the door knob.  I must have been a sight.

"Dear, why don't you sit down and tell me what you are doing out so late at night."

Finally, some compassion and companionship.