Hunted

Escape?

*Lacey's POV*

     My wrists are raw and bleeding from trying to escape. I've been slowly loosening the ropes but it's still not enough to get out yet. Alex has only come in once since the first time we talked, just long enough to throw some bread and a bottle of water in my lap. He seemed really distracted, not acknowledging me even once no matter how much I screamed at him. It hurts me so much to see who he has become. He may be Alex, but he is not my brother. I really wish I knew what that woman did to him, what he went through.

I flexed my arms, gasping in pain as the ropes bit deeper into my flesh. I know he's not gonna let me go, and this is my only option. I can't stop, no matter how much I want to. I pulled with all my strength and smiled as the ropes broke, falling to the ground. I rubbed my wrists, trying to stop the burning from the cuts.  I knew I didn't have much time; he could come back at any moment. I bent down, my fingers fumbling with the knots tying my legs down. This was taking way too long, and I got more scared with each passing minute.  Finally, I was free. I had to slowly stand up, as I had been sitting for so long I had didn't have any feeling in my legs. I took a small step, hating how I wobbled like a new-born fawn. I made it to the door and opened it. Thank God it wasn't locked, I thought as I stuck my head out trying to get an idea of where I was.

The place was in ruins. If I had to guess, I'd say it was once a department store but had fallen into disrepair quite some time ago. Broken mannequins littered the floor, along with abandoned shoes and unwanted clothing. "Oh Alex..what happened to you?" I asked softly, tears pooling in my eyes. I crouched down, not wanting to draw any attention to myself and started looking for a way out. All the windows I passed were boarded up leaving me no way to escape. There must be a door, I mean how else is he getting in and out? I could see a light up ahead, unsure whether to investigate or run. In the end, I decided that light could mean a way out so I slowly crept towards it, careful not to make a sound.

The light led me to a tiny room, it's walls covered with newspaper clippings and photos. My curiosity got the best of me and I walked inside. I instantly wished I hadn't, as the pictures were of bodies, all dead and mutilated in different ways. A naked girl tied to a bed caught my eye. Her mouth was stitched shut, blood running down her face. Her eyes had been gouged out, leaving behind nothing but empty sockets. Deep cuts ran down the length of her body, the skin peeled back to reveal her internal organs. I gagged, unable to stop staring. Who would do something like this? Please not Alex, I thought as I finally tore my eyes away and turned around to leave this awful place.

Bright red hair stopped me in my tracks. I ran over to the far wall, my heart hammering forcefully in my chest. "ROSE! NO!" I screamed, not caring who heard me as I took in the sight of her hanging from her neck, her intestines protruding from a deep gash in her stomach. Dead..Rose is dead, I thought as I doubled over and vomited. I knew it was Alex, it had to be. He killed her. I have to get out of here; I have to help the others. I jumped to my feet and ran, frantically searching for the way out. I ran into a mannequin, the crash reverberating off the walls. I really hope Alex isn't here cause there's no way he couldn't have heard that. Heavy footsteps came running my direction and I froze. I looked around, trying to find a place to hide. I managed to wedge myself behind a shelf, hidden from view by boxes. I took deep breaths, focusing on making as little noise as possible. He stopped way too close to my hiding spot for comfort. "Laceyy..where are you? I know you're here.." Alex called out in a sing-song voice. I held my breath, praying for him to not find me. Without warning he ran off, his footsteps fading into the distance. I breathed a sigh of relief but didn't dare move just yet. I stood frozen for what seemed like forever but never heard him come back. Maybe it's safe to leave now. I shifted my weight slightly, squeezing myself as close to the wall as I could. I made it almost half way out when Alex appeared in front of me, an unnerving grin on his face. "Did you really think you could escape?" he smirked as he grabbed my arms and pulled me towards him.  "Let me go!" I screamed, trying to break free but he was too strong. He dragged me back to the last place on earth I wanted to be, the room with the pictures. "You killed her. You killed Rose! You're a monster!" I cried as he knocked me down, my face painfully scraping against the rough concrete floor. He shoved his knee in my back making it difficult to breathe. "Yes, I did kill her. And I'm just getting started." he boasted. "Why? Why are you doing this? What did she ever do to you?" I demanded. "Everything I did,  I did for us. In time you'll see. This is how it was always meant to be." he replied, his breath hot on my neck. I threw my head back, trying to catch him off guard but didn't connect with anything. He yanked my hair, turning my neck until I screamed. He laughed, clearly enjoying causing me pain. "Please..stop.. I'm your sister." I sobbed, hoping to get through to him. "Don't you see? That's why I'm doing this." he sneered as he smashed my face into the concrete as hard as he could.