How to escape your imagination

Chapter 22

I feel a hand on my shoulder, shaking me gently.

I sit up abruptly knocking into Simon, who looks surprised.

He puts a finger into the air, telling me to wait a minute, before reaching behind him to grab the paper. While he writes a look down at the cause of my pain and grimace at the lazily wrapped arm.

You don't do well with blood do you. Simon shows the paper to me and I grimace, shivering.

Never have. It comes out almost unreadable, as I write with my non-dominant right hand.

Simon glances at the stained cloth and quickly looks away.

Clearly neither to I. He scrawls quickly.

I sit up and look around the room. There is daylight filtering through the spaces of window, and it gives me a better view of the basement.

I see Regan talking to the boy with the gun. She was waving her finger at him in between actions.

The boy looks over at me sitting up on the bed and Regan turns to stare as well, before getting the nerve to walk over.

The boy rushes over quicker and I notice that his hands are quivering, and he looks terrified.

I'm sorry. He says, the words barely recognizable from his shaking hands.

I'm just trying to protect my family.

Regan steps in from behind, and puts her hands on his shoulders.

I couldn't let anyone hurt any of my siblings again. Marcus spells out.

I make a clear face of confusion, and Regan steps slightly In front of him to talk with me.

Our brother, was 4 years old when that--thing took him. Regan looks hurt, and Marcus, a whole foot shorter than her, wraps his small arms around her waist to provide some comfort.

It was my fault...I was just trying to distract him, I just can't believe he's gone. Regan signs, tears spilling down her face.

Marcus continues to hug her as she weeps on the floor of the basement.

Can you please help us...? Marcus pleads. We could really use it.

I look over at Simon, who looks incredibly spaced out and I wave my hand to get his attention.

He looks up at me from the bed and points to the pencil and paper.

I grab the pencil and scribble down the rough conversation.

He reads over it and decides to agree to the plan.

I turn around and continue talking with Regan.

So what exactly are these things that you are referring to?

Regan looks up, her eyes swollen, and signs out one word.

Monsters.

My eyes widen and I deliver the information to Simon.

He looks slightly shaken but quickly responds on the paper.

I think I've had enough experience with monsters, that this is nothing. His pencil hovers over the paper before he hesitantly writes down, I'm in.

I look back to Regan and give a thumbs up.

We are here to help if when you need it.

Regan smiles, an actually really pretty and genuine smile, and signs to me:

I hope my plan works.

I nod.

What's your plan?

She grabs a piece of paper from the desk behind her and presents it to me.

Let me show you.

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Regan's plan is very impressive. I would never be able to have that level of creativity, and so I admire the young girl.

What do you think? Regan signs expectantly. Do you think it would work?

I nod without a moments hesitation, causing Regan to smile.

Great, then let's go. She begins walking toward the cupboard where she grabs multiple items.

I go up to Marcus to confirm a theory.  I bring up my hands to begin signing, and he waits for my question.

Is Regan deaf?  I sign to him and before I finish the sign for 'deaf' he nods.

It explains a lot. The different times that she wasn't able to recognize something was wrong, the fact she didn't hear the baby crying, and the tiny devices in her ears.

Regan continues to gather supplies out of the cupboard, including different weapons, and food.

I tap her on the shoulder receiving a jump and a glare.

I sign back sorry and her gaze softens.

What is it? She asks

How long will we be gone. I ask

She thinks for a moment before hesitantly replying.

We can't be away for too long. She points to her mom and I can see her contemplating whether or not we should actually leave her.

It will be fine...she will be fine.  I sign to Regan and she nods in return.

Ok.

We pack the items in a bag and Regan checks on Eve before beckoning for Marcus and Simon, who are fangirling in the corner over star wars, to come join us.

Simon hops up off the floor and carefully paces across the room in a few strides, Marcus walking with 10x more grace then I could ever have.

I take Simons hand and give it a squeeze before walking up the stairs ahead of Regan and opening the trapdoor.  My heart skips a beat when it slips from my hands and falls towards it's starting position.  Regan lurches forward with the agility of a ninja and stuffs her hand between the trapdoor and the beam of wood. 

She glares at me and looks to Marcus, silently asking if it made a noise and he shakes his head.

Don't be so clumsy.  She signs to me, after pulling her hand out.

She pushes me out of the way and opens the door.  Marcus walks close behind and gently releases it to the ground. 

Follow me.  Regan says.

Simon takes hold of my hand once more and I give him a smile.

We begin walking after Regan and Marcus, who are covering ground quite quickly. 

Regan suddenly turns around and stalks past me back into the trapdoor, but not before turning around and signing to me,

I forgot my gun. 

I nod and stand waiting for her return. 

It's been about 10 minutes and I'm about to go after her when she comes back up with tears in her eyes.

She signs to me,

My moms dead.