The girl in the attic

(15)The girl in the attic

The girl in the attic

Chapter 15

Preston's POV

I heard a knock at the door and I felt my whole body freeze.

"Who is it?" I called as panic rose up in me.  

"It's Lina, I want to clean your room," I heard the reply and watched as Katie went into panic mode. She dashed towards my window and was about to open it when I grabbed her arm stopping her. She looked terrified but there was no way I could allow her to run away again.  

"Hide in the bathroom," I whispered to her as I lead her to the bathroom door. She looked hesitant but went inside and closed the door softly behind her. I let out a deep breath that I've been holding since I heard the knock on the door and walked over to the door and opened it. Lina stood there holding a broom, and a bucket full of cleaning materials.

"Uhm, do you think you could maybe give me a few minutes? I'm just busy with something right now," I asked hoping she would agree.  

"Sure, when can I come back?" She questioned and I felt relieve fill my body.  

"I'll be done in a few minutes then I'm going out, so I'd say in about a half an hour or so," I answered figuring that would give me enough time to sneak Katie out of the house.  

"Ok, I'll come back then," Lina replied as she turned around and walked away.

I closed the door behind me and locked it again just in case she changed her mind. I walked over to my bathroom door and knocked softly, a few seconds later the door opened revealing a terrified looking Katie.

"It's ok, she left," I said stepping aside so that she could enter the room again. She didn't say anything as she walked passed me but I could see she felt relieved by my words from the expression on her face.

"We need to get out of here, she'll be back in about half an hour. Where would you like to go?" I asked hoping she wasn't going to put up another argument.  

"I... I don't know, anywhere we won't get caught," She answered still looking unsure of the whole situation.  

"How about we just head over to the barn for now, it should be safe there," I suggested looking her over. There was no way I could take her to town in the clothes she had on and I seriously doubt that she would have been happy about the idea anyway. I am going to have to get her some clothes though, she can't walk around in my boxers forever.  

"The barn, yeah, it's safe there," Katie agreed relaxing a bit.

We sneaked out of the house with me in front. I really didn't want Katie to get caught. I'm not sure what was going on but I had the feeling something bad would happen if she did get caught. We left out of the back door and made our way over to the barn. We went inside and climbed up the ladder to the place where I first found her. I moved the barrels of hay a bit so that there would be more space behind them and sat down next to her.

"Thanks for getting me out of there, I don't know what Lina would have done if she caught me," Katie said looking at me gratefully.  

"Why do you call her Lina?'' I asked unable to contain my curiosity. I know she agreed to be my friend with the condition that I didn't ask any more personal questions but I just couldn't help myself. She looked hesitant but then took me by surprise as she answered my question.  

"It's just easier for me that way," she answered as a sad expression crossed her face.  

"What do you mean by it's easier that way?" I asked wanting to know more.