In The Dark

Chapter 12

I wake in chains on what looks like a basement floor. The chain attached to my hands and a beam above me is long enough to be pulled tight while sitting. Licking my lips I try to bring moisture to my fuzzy, dehydrated mouth and concentrate on my surroundings.

The papers are gone but I didn't really believe he'd let me keep them anyway. I know now I can't rely on anyone to save me. I can either give up and wallow in self pity or try and save myself. Relying on Mason for comfort has made giving up my first instinct but self preservation makes me push through.

Standing, I notice a metal table with tools scattered across. I reach high up on my chains and try to lift my feet off the ground, using them to reach for the table. I'm able to swipe a few things onto the floor towards me. I let myself sit down using my feet again to pull the scattered tools towards me. Just as I grab something I hear a noise up the stairs. I hide the tool under a box beside me and pretend I am just now reaching for the tools.

He steps out of the shadows and I notice what he's wearing; dark skinny jeans and a black shirt with a leather jacket bringing me to believe he might be young. His face is covered with a clown mask, so I can only guess.

"Now, now, Scarlett, I was going to bring you food but I guess I'm going to have to punish you now," his sinister voice, even muffled, sends chills up my spine. I scramble backwards in fear but he reaches forward grabbing the collar of my shirt and yanks me into a standing position. Tears stream down my face as he pats his hands across every inch of my body. He puts his hand on my neck, pushing me into the wall choking me, and whispers in my ear.

"Don't test me too much, Precious, I might enjoy punishing you too much." I shiver in disgust. When he leaves, I crumple to the floor coughing and rubbing my neck.

It takes me minute to quit shaking. Finally I start drawing in deep calming breaths. I reach under the box to find sharp plier like things. I'm praising my good luck when I hear a door slam and the revving of an engine. I work furiously at clipping the chain in between my hands. When my hands are free, I hack at the one attaching my feet together. Unable to get the cuffs off each limb I leave them.

Quickly I run up the stairs in time to see dust flying behind a black car. I walk out the front door, awkwardly. The ease of my escape has me confused and wary. I look around me to see a dilapidated old home and a massive forest. I walk down the long dirt road until I come to an asphalt road.

Fear has me hiding in the bushes when a car rushes past. I stay in that position for a minute debating which direction I should go. I go left deciding that walking aimlessly is still better than being trapped. The sun is up high when I start walking, so I stay near the shade of the woods when I can.

As night falls I finally walk into the city, delirious from heat exhaustion, relieved to know where I am. Determination has me making my way to the police station with the last bit of energy I have.

I fall on my knees in front of the door, unable to go further, and pass out as people hurry around me.

I wake up expecting it to be a dream, to see the clown face above me still. Instead I'm in the hospital again but Detective Sparks is in the chair next to me this time. The cuffs are off and bandages in place where they rubbed sores.

Nurses and a doctor rush in before the Detective can get a word out. I cringe as light is shined in my eyes.

"I just need to ask a few questions to check your mental state, what is your full name?"

"Uh okay," I cough through my dry throughly before sipping the water a nurse hands me. "My name is Scarlett Marie Jones."

"Alright Scarlett, how old are you?"

"22."

"Good now can you tell me the last date you remember?"

"October 31st, Halloween," as I say this I start trembling.

"Thank you Scarlett we're gonna give you something to help you rest." The doctor then says something to the nurse next to him. He puts something in my I.V. and I'm out again.