Shiver

Chapter 11- Sick as a Dog

Today, I had the cottage to myself as Kyle went grocery shopping. There wasn't much to do so I wanted to go along with him, but he wouldn't let me tag along. So, he left, alone, and here I am staring at a magazine when my mind knows what I really want to do.

I want to find out what is on the other side of that door.

Ever since we've been here, that door will not open. It has three locks and it would not budge for anything. I even woke up Kyle the other night trying to open it. I know it's wrong trying to break into Kyle's brothers' room, but something about it is pulling me towards it. I might be going crazy but it's like that door has been calling my name this whole time. But, why? I look at the clock. 11:43 AM. Kyle wouldn't be back be done shopping for another couple hours. Plus, it's about a two hour drive out here. That meant I had plenty of time to do my dirty work.

I put on my shoes and my jacket before I go outside and start exploring in the tool shed. Eventually, I find a couple screw drivers before I freeze my ass off. I rush inside and take my torn jacket off as I'm walking to the brothers' door. But, before I could do anything, the fire in the living room went out and it instantly became chilling. I put on my jacket once again and go to the back of the house to bring in some logs. When I get to the logs, I start picking them up and taking them inside a few at a time. I toss a few of them into the fire and go back to my original plan.

Once I remembered where I put the screwdrivers, I started taking the locks off one by one. Finally, I got one lock off when the smoke detector started beeping. I turn around and the smell of iron was everywhere. I ran into the living room and I could barely see a thing. The smoke was everywhere and I could barely breathe. I opened the front door and turned the smoke detector off. I walk over to the fire and notice something on the logs that didn't have a chance to burn. They had a reddish-brown color stained on them. It looked like blood, but it couldn't be. Kyle said nobody had been to the cottage since his mom left.

Slowly, the brown residue started melting off of the logs. It began to pour on my hands and stain my shirt. I began panicking, running to the bathroom sink and washing my hands. But, the blood wouldn't come off. I grab a towel beside the mirror and dry my hands off, hoping it was all just a dream and it would go away. After about twenty minutes of rubbing the blood off of my hands, it just disappeared. My hands were red and my skin was now peeling from scrubbing them so hard. I took a deep breath in. It's okay. Just relax. I put the towel on the towel rack when I see it in the mirror.

That woman was behind me.

I screamed and tried to run away but her hand grabbed me just like the night before, tearing the skin on my arm. The black residue started going up my arms again. I tried prying her fingers off, but it was no use.

"Remember, Blair." She said. At this point, I was done crying. I was done being scared and manipulated. I tugged as hard as I could and finally gotten free of her grip.

"Remember what? Just leave me alone!" I yelled as loud as I could, hoping it would scare her away. But, I think it only made things worse because even though she had let go of me, she was walking closer to me. I backed up in an effort to make it to the bathroom door when it suddenly slammed shut. I grabbed the doorknob, hoping it would budge. But, of course, it wouldn't. I turned around and she was staring at me.Her hair was the same, long and in beautiful, raven curls. Her eyes, still as mesmerizing as before. I almost wanted to touch her. She must have been thinking the same thing, because she brought up her hand and caressed my cheek.

"You must remember. Now." she said.

"What?" I asked, confused. "Help me remember." She smiled at me, and nodded her head.

Suddenly, my brain was filled with things I couldn't possibly imagine. There was happiness, then tragedy and sadness. There was a girl, lonely and feeling awful about life. Her father treated her awful after she lost her mother and brother. Now, she was all grown up and having fun with friends when things took a turn for the worst and she was kidnapped. People died, people got hurt...And people were in a car accident.

"Oh my god! Are you okay? Can you hear me? What were you- Austin? What the hell are you doing out here?" It was Kyle. I could tell by his voice.

"C-Can't breathe. Help." That was another man. I couldn't tell who, and I didn't think I knew him.

"Alright. I'll be right back." Kyle runs to the back of the car and I can see the man that was on the ground, get up perfectly. He wasn't even hurt and he could certainly breathe fine. I tried to push myself up from the snow, but my feet were too cold to move. My hands were staining the snow with blood, and by the way my head was swooning, I had lost too much of it too.

"Money or not, you are still dead." The man walks over and picks up a gun that wasn't too far from my reach. He then points the revolver to my face.

"Austin! What the fuck are you doing? I thought you were-"

"Shut up! This bitch needs to die. She's been too much trouble and she needs to be punished." The man grinned evilly, and was a bout to pull the trigger.

"Wait. Austin, she's not worth it. You don't need to do this." It was Kyle. Austin hesitated and put the gun down to his side. But, he was still smiling.

"You're right baby brother. It's about time you took part in the family business." He handed Kyle the gun, wrapping his hands around Kyle's to position the gun at me.

"Squint your eyes and point the gun right between your eyes." Kyle was hesitant at first, but he put his arms up and aimed the gun at me.

"Please... Don't... H-help me." I croaked. My lips were swollen and my I could feel my face bruising. I wanted to die right then and there, but something kept telling me to fight. I had to stay alive. Kyle looked at me with worry and sorrow at first, but washed it off when he saw Austin looking at him questionably.

"What now?" Kyle said, re-positioning the six-shooter at me.

"Now shoot baby brother."

And the gun fired.

I couldn't breathe. It was a good thing we were in a bathroom because I could not stop vomiting. I was nothing to my father. I was stupid enough to walk alone in New York City. Thankfully I had gotten away from those boys. But, not all of them. Kyle was their brother. He was helping them. He shot me! I pulled up the sleeve on my left arm and saw a circular scar that was most definitely a gun shot. I retched again and again. Once I was done, I turned around and saw that the woman was holding my hair up, obviously to make sure no vomit had gotten in it.

That woman, I knew her. She wasn't just any woman.

"Mom?"

"I''m here Blair-bear. But, not for long. I can't stay." She said.

"You. I saw you. You cut my hair."

"I was going to get you to have bangs. One way or another." She grinned, but looked around, worried.

"Blair, I have to go. I can't get caught."

"Caught? But, mom-"

"Blair, be careful. Danger is coming again, baby. I wish I could help and take your place, but I can't. Stay strong and don't let anyone know." And with that, she was gone. I began crying, needing my mother now more than ever. But the tears stopped immediately when I heard the front door open and shut.

"Blair? I'm home."

Funny, I'm not.

Picture of Blair