One Way Out

~Prologue~

The house is cold. It's always cold.

But I'm sweating. I see monsters. Every where. They surround me. They are trying to get to me. I start to run. But as I start to run, they start to chase. They're chasing me. I scream as fear is consuming me. But they scream louder, causing my ears to bleed. It's overbearing. The pain is excruciating. They approach closer and closer to me. They are just feet behind me. They get close enough to grab me.

I jolt up and see a door. My bedroom door. It was a bad dream. Thank goodness. My throat is dry. My belly hurts. I can't remember the last good meal I ate. I want food. I'm too scared to leave my bed.

"Mommy!", I shout. Sometimes she would come. "Mommy", I try again. No answer. I have to be brave. I'm brave. The cold floor lies beneath my feet as I step out of my bed. I try to move my feet towards the door. They start to budge but I still feel nervous to move. It feels like years have passed as I come close to the door. I place my small fingers on the knob to my door. Before I open it, I say a quick prayer. Using all my courage, I swing the door open. I stumble a little because of how much force I unnecessarly used. I continue on with my search. I whisper, "Mommy?"

Nothing. I see mommy's room door open across the hall. Stepping inside, I see the small twin bed she has, empty. Where's mommy?

There isn't a reason for me to stay. I want mommy and she's not here. I walk out the room making sure I shut the door behind me. Mommy likes her door closed.

The hall is cold and it smells. Our apartment always smelled. I see mice from time to time in here. I creep down the small hallway to find myself in the living area. There wasn't much furniture in here. It made it easy to see she wasn't in the living area. I started getting scared. The idea of running to my room and hiding under my covers is tempting. But I have to be brave. I am brave.

The kitchen entrance is in my vision. It's easy to see my kitchen from the living area. It's a small home. Then I see a figure in the entrance way of the kitchen. However, she's laying down. Mommy? I get closer to see. It is Mommy.

"Mommy, I was scared. Wake up."

No answer.

"Mommy....?"

I try to shake her but she doesn't move. I keep shaking her and shaking her but she doesn't move. She's probably tired. I see a broken bottle next to mommy. I decide to lay down next to mommy.

I hear noise. Music? And dogs. Loud dogs. Some one is partying? I then hear sirens. It's really loud. Is it the watchers? I call them watchers. Watchers are all around my area.

The noise is stopped. But the dogs keep going. I hear shouting. It gets close. I do my best to ignore it. It's hard because it keeps getting closer. I hear the front door burst open. What's going on? My head hurts. The watchers make their way into my home. There's about 5-7 of them. I can't tell. They scatter around until one of them notice me. They come closer to where I was. I feel the fear in me. I start to temble a little.

"Stop!!", I called out.

I hoped that would stop them but, it didn't. Two of the watchers continued towards me. One grabbed me with one quick move.

"Stop, leave me alone! Mommy, mommy! Help me mommy."

I keep screaming but, she doesn't move.

"Mommy!", I cried out.

She didn't even budge to wake up.

The watchers are cleaning up liquid that fell from the broken bottle. I scream as the two watchers wrap me in a blanket. They make their way to the door. Before you know it, I'm outside. It's so cold. The wind is heavy. I can feel it sweep across my face. The sky looks dark. The moon is bright. It's pretty.I smile a little at the sight. I snap out of my trance when the watcher holding me trips a little.

I panic. I don't know what to do. My mommy didn't want to help me. How could she? I think to myself. An idea comes to my head. Coley! He's my best friend. He's been there for me whenever I needed him. Would he be able to hear me? If I shout from here? He should. Cole usually comes home from a friend's house at this time. Before his mom notices his absence. Some times he comes to my house when mommy isn't home and I'm scared.

"Coley!! Cole", I scream hoping he heard. Every thing is happening quick.

"Coley!!..."

I see a little 8 year old run towards the watchers holding me. In that moment he is stopped by more watchers. They all look the same. They wear the same clothes.

Im placed in a car. A lady comes in and sits next to me. She reeks of smoke and cheap perfume.

"Hi sweetie, I'm Diane", she speaks.

I'm too afraid to respond to her.

"It's ok sweetie. Every thing will be alright", she says unsure.

"You look tired. You are very brave. I wish I was like you as a little girl."

I feel myself getting comfortable. My head still hurts though. She takes note that I relaxed. I guess that's the green light for her to question me again.

"Can you tell me your name?" I shake my head.

"How old are you?" I put up seven fingers.

"That's good. You're a very pretty girl. I like your curly hair." She touches my hair. I wince and she stops. She doesn't ask anymore questions.

I start feeling dizzy. I feel hungry. My eyes keep opening and closing.

"I'm here! I'm here!", I hear yelling. I'm trying to look. I'm too tired. It's hurts to move.

"Ana!!" I recongnize the voice. My best friend. My Cole.

"Ana! Ana!...." He continues to yell my nickname. He gave it to me. The thought makes me smile to myself.

"......Coley." I feel water on my cheeks. The voice fades and so does my vision. Everything goes black.