Photographic Memories [EDITING]

A Brief Visit

The following Sunday after my checkup was gloomier than expected. There was no sun; only clouds. There was no wind nor rain. I was on my way home from church when I instantly remembered something.

  I had to visit the police station.

  I galloped towards the police station and searched for Officer Philips. I found her at the front desk. I walked up to her and she greeted me upon her noticing me.

  "Ah, Grace! Glad to see you," she said. We shook hands.
  "I'm glad to see you too, madam. Have you found any information yet?" I inquired.
  "Yes, luckily. I've printed a copy of our findings for you to keep," she said. She slid a file across the smooth surface of the table and I picked it up. I browsed through and noticed an address.

Fifteenth Willows Street

  "Where is this place?" I asked.
  "It's ten minutes from here. I don't advise you going alone there. That's the address of an 'abandoned' building. Might as well stay at home and focus on school," she advised. I nodded my head.
  "So we meet every Sunday?" I asked.
  "Yes, Grace. Every Sunday. You can go home now," she said.
  "Goodbye!" I bade her.
  "Goodbye!" she waved back.

  I ambled back home and continued the day as per usual. Once I had done my chores, I decided to read through some files. Somehow, the address kept on popping up.

Fifteenth Willows Street

  I couldn't help but think of going there. No, Grace, you were told not to. But at the same time, I felt the need to see what was there. What were they hiding there? Maybe I could just visit it during the night? I'd bring some things with me just in case.

  It was half past nine o'clock at night and I had successfully sneaked out of the house. I brought my late father's pocket knife and a compact flashlight to assist me when I need it. I had no worry on transport; if ever I got lost, I had enough money for a taxi. I crept down the lane and at once I had found it.

  Officer Philips was right about one thing: it was the address of an abandoned warehouse. I crept in stealthily and prepared the pocket knife. I then switched on the lights. The interior of the building was dull and dead. Even the most colorful paints and lights couldn't bring it to life. I took a step. "Stomp!" was the noise that rung. I tiptoed and explored the place. The metal that made up most of the warehouse was rusting, and multiple figures were draped in plain sheets. I opened one door to find nothing. I closed it. I crept towards the next door. Nothing. The third door was locked. I climbed on top of an empty barrel and peeked through the small slit of glass. The room had nothing in it. I climbed down and roamed around the place.

  I had mentally mapped more than half of the warehouse. Curious, I crept to the second floor. That was the only place I hadn't navigated. There were only two doors. The first door led to a disgusting bathroom. The second door, however, was locked. I heard a sound from the other side of the locked door.

  "Who's there?" asked the voice from inside the room.
"Just a girl. I'm a bit lost," I replied.

  There was no sound. I tried to get inside the room. With the help of my late father's pocket knife, I managed to pick lock my way in. The room was dark. I bet that it would be even darker than the basement if I closed the door. I prepared my pocket knife and shone light from my flashlight into the room. I found the light switch and turned it on. In an instant, all was seen.

  The chamber had metal cuffs and a whip stowed neatly in one corner. A plate of cold food was set in the center. The light bulb was flickering and water dripped from the ceiling into a minuscule bucket. What caught my eye the most was the presence of a young man, around the age of eighteen.

  His eyes were a different color. One iris was crystal blue, while the other was honey brown. He had dark blonde hair, which seemed to be turning brown, that was half-windswept and half-finger combed. He was tall and slender. Skinny, rather. At once I recognized him.

  I had found Gale.

  "Gale! I found you! What happened?" I said.
  "You know me?" he asked, stunned.
  "I'm your sister, Grace. We were close siblings. Don't you remember?" I reminded him. A frightened look was imprinted on his face.
  "Are you working with the woman?" he asked.
  "The woman?" I questioned.
  "Marianna Desdemona Liana Nelson. The one that kept me here," he told me.
  "I don't think I know her. Oh Gale, we need to get you out of here," I said. I tried to unshackle his ankles when he stopped me.
  "No, please. Don't. The woman will kill me if she found out that I escaped," he begged.
  "Then you can stay here. I can call the police for help," I said. He pointed behind me. I turned around to see a lady, her looks masked to hide her identity.
  "Good girls don't wander at night," she said dauntingly.
  "What did you do to him?" I interrogated.
  "He doesn't remember anything," she said, "and neither will you."

  She gave me one sharp blow in the head. I staggered backwards and lunged at her with the pocket knife. With her light hands she whisked my weapon away from me. She then kicked me behind the knees and pushed me. I laid on the ground, weak, and saw nothing but darkness.

  The last thing I sensed was the sound of a metal door banging against the wall.