It Was Just a Dare

Anna

[19 August, 2018]

The only thing on my mind was the fact that my birthday was in less than twelve hours and that's when everything turns into complete chaos. And by chaos I mean the one and only Thomas Flinn.

I don't remember much of my life before he took me in. I don't remember how I got here or even why I live with him. The only thing that I truly know is that my name is Anna.

On rough days I choose to imagine a new life. A good life. One that doesn't involve Thomas and his friends. I would want a life with my friends, or well, the people I met while living here. I would want a life with Logan and Daphne. We could all run away together when the time was right and find an apartment big enough for the three of us. We could get jobs and live happily ever after.

But I know none of us would ever be happy again. Not because we were trapped in the house and were being watch practically twenty four-seven, but because if by any chance would escape he would come for us, just as he did to Miles and Rachel. Just as he murdered them in cold blood.

"Annie," I hear Thomas calling my name from down the hall. I quickly pull the comforter out from underneath the individual pillow and cover myself up to my neck. I close my eyes and act as though I am still sound asleep at almost noon.

I hear the hinges of my door squeak as it opens slowly. The sound of his construction boots clunky against the hardwood floor and my heart beats drastically to a quicker pace. I try my best to focus to keep it low so I won't jump when he comes any closer.

Again he says my name, "Anne, oh, Annie."

I pull my arms out from under the comforter and sleepily wipe at my eyes as if I were just now getting up, "oh, good, you're awake," he smiles at me.

"Yes," I say in a tired tone.

"Are you hungry?" He asked. I shake my head but he insists, "come to the kitchen in five minutes. Don't make me pull you out from that bed."

I nod, "Five minutes." His dark features instantly turn into a sweet smile and he walks out leaving the door ajar.

My head taps the back of the headboard and my eyes close thinking about what may come tomorrow. After a few minutes in deep thought I crawl out of the twin size bed and look at myself in the full-length mirror.

There were dark spots surrounding my eyes giving others the effect that I was extremely tired from lack of sleep or just naturally raccoon-eyed. My blonde hair was so straight it had appeared that I haven't showered in weeks, however it was much longer than that and I smell absolutely terrible. My eyes then scanned lower to my body that was only wearing a white tank top and black panties that was given to me the last time I showered, and both have odors as well.

I give myself a small smile before cautiously walking to the kitchen, my feet touching the cold, tile floor sending shivers up my spine making me twitch in an odd way.

Seated at the table was Daphne. She was a thin, dark-skinned female with black, coiled hair that reached her shoulders and frizzed out. She waved me over and I sat down on the icy seat. Her eyes gave me the impression that Logan wasn't going to make it for this meal, probably because he tried to fight back against the people again.

Daphne and I told him numerous times to obey by their word and he wouldn't be punished so many times, but he never listens and is always being sent to the barn.

I look around the kitchen and see Thomas check his phone and then he runs to the barn letting me and Daphne all alone.

"Anna, get the phone," Daph said in a hushed voice, "hurry before they get back."

And then it happened again.

My heart began to race and the vibrations thumped up to my ears making me sweat like crazy. I stood up and dashed for the phone, almost slipping on the tile. I lifted the house phone from the charger and listened for the dial tone, once hearing the sound I quickly type '9-1-1' on the keypad and await for the sound of an operator.

With my heart still racing and my eyes locked on the group in the barn I hear, "9-1-1, what's your emergency?"

"Hi, my name is Anna," I say, "I need help I'm just outside of—"

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" A female's country voice said from behind me.

The operator that is listening in on the call tells me to stay on the line no matter what, "I-I- can't . . ."

"Only ten more seconds and I'll have you're location," he simply announced.

In horror, I watch as Lisa tries to snatch the phone from me, but luckily I smile and toss the phone in the air and just in time Daphne catches it. The look in her deep brown eyes told me she had to hang up and I shook my head for her not to. My heart sinks when I hear the five words no one in my situation would want to hear.

"Your call has been disconnected."

I drop to my knees and begin to sob uncontrollably, my head locked between my arms and my body shakes.

Then suddenly a hand snags onto my hair and drags me out the door and begins to kick at my face and my stomach, "You should have listened! You should have obeyed!" She repeated over and over.

"What the hell are you doing?" Tyler calmly commented. I jump in my fetal position. I must have been so out of it that I haven't seen him or Thomas show up, with Logan just behind looking faint.

In the corner of my eye I could see the silhouette of Lisa pointing at me as she told them, "This dumb little girl decided it was okay to call the pigs and tell them who she was. Luckily, I saved the day and forced the other one to hang the phone up just before they could trace the number here."

"Alright," Thomas announced through clenched teeth, "let's bring her to the barn."

I rolled onto my back to look up at the clear blue sky one last time before I would be enclosed in the dark for who knows how long. But of course Lisa rolled her eyes one last time before kicking me hard in the head causing my world to fade away.

1150 | unedited