Broken Memories

Chapter 17. Rose

Chapter 17. Rose

I am let out of my prison cell for a strict 10 minutes, to go to the bathroom. Mike "kindly" extended my time from five minutes to 10 a couple of weeks ago. How nice of him. My hand pauses on the handle as I hear voices getting louder from the direction of the kitchen.

I think the voices are coming from the lounge. Mike's fake, inviting voice is the loudest as he tells the visitors what he has to drink. It's most likely a businessman wanting to sell something-

'Cut the crap, Mike,' a voice demands.

My heart stops. A gasp leaves my lips ajar. An electric current vibrates my body from head to toe, knocking all the breath out of me. I lean against the wall for the support that my weak limbs can't give. Surely I just misheard.

'We're here for a reason and you know what that is.'

That voice! The voice I've been dreaming about for the past four months! Every day I hear her, Benji and Mum and Dad. But... she died... didn't she? I watched her die. And I... I couldn't save her... blood was pouring down her face... I wasn't fast enough... I... I didn't save her...

'Thank you, Lauren,' another voice that rings with authority cuts in.

Lauren. Lauren. Lauren! She's found me! Oh! I'm saved! Relief almost makes me fall to my knees in a crying heap but I snap back into focus.

I'm not safe yet. Mike said to me the first day I arrived, "One day, people will try to save you but if you show any recognition, they will die, right in front of you. Then we will move so you can't be found again."

I asked him in my darkest times to just kill me so I could be with my family again but he kept saying the same thing, "You're the bait." I can't believe there would ever come a day where I would want to thank Mike. Yet, today, I have to be grateful he didn't kill me when I asked. Then I would never have got the chance to see Lauren again. And I certainly can't lose her now that she's here!

So I must blank Lauren, to save her. But how will I get out?

I'm not thinking straight, but I have to see her. I shake my head and bring back high school acting as I walk into the kitchen and see everyone in the lounge.

My eyes glue to Lauren. She looks so fierce and determined with her ponytail high off her face. Beauty is etched in every part of her face, even when she doesn't see it herself. Her eyes lock with mine and she widens her eyes and mouth and leaps in the air. My blank stare must silence her as the light fades from her bright eyes and her expression is one of pure confusion. It takes every cell in my body to keep my face neutral. Every inch of me screams in protest. Every atom inside of me wants to be wrapped around Lauren in a bear hug.

But I take a breath and quickly glance at everyone else. The Shirelands! Oh, it's so good to see them! There is also a teenage girl with wild red hair who stands defensively beside Lauren. My heart pangs painfully. That's where I should be.

Only a few seconds pass as the house completely freezes and seems to hold its breath. As if it senses something exciting is about to happen.

I see Lauren's face in a state of utter confusion as my expression gives her no inkling of recognition. But I have to pretend... She can't leave me forever. I can't lose her again! I watched her die once, I couldn't do it again. The only reason I haven't taken my own life is because I felt, deep in my heart that one of my family members had survived. And I was right! I can't lose her now that she's right in front of me! Wait... now right in front of Mike.

Her legs have grown like stilts and stride to Mike in a matter of seconds.

Lauren's never sworn before, yet now, a whole variety of colourful words spill from her mouth as she leaves a bright red hand print on half of Mike's face. The silent house then unsticks from its silence. Then suddenly, like an earthquake rumbling from the silence, chaos bursts from the calm blanket of shock. Mike turns back to Lauren with a face of a ferocious hunting lion, making her step back just a fraction in regret. Her worried eyes make me run forward and kick Mike in the back of his knees. A poor attempt at distraction. Apart from bending slightly, he hardly bats an eyelid. Damn my weak legs! Suddenly, my eyes just can't keep up. Mike's gun is abruptly pointing at Lauren, with stiff and haughty movements, and Mikes sneer freezes my heart once more.