The Truth

Chapter 29

-Jack-

     I sigh. Is this girl ever going to listen to me?

     "Alright, but you need to do everything I say when I say it. Understand?" she nods and bites her lip. I'm about to beg her to stay again but realize that it's pointless.

     I walk her around to the back, where a trap door lies hidden beneath shrub.

     "I can't believe they haven't found it yet." I mutter. Cindy gives me a look as I slam my foot down on it several times. It opens easily, revealing an old staicase that looks terrifyingly unstable. The bottom of the staircase disappears in the darkness below. Cindy whimpers and backs up.

     "We have to go down there?" she squeaks. I grab her hand.

     "We don't have to do anything. Please stay out here and wait for me. Please." I beg her one more time and she hesitates.

     "Will you be okay?" she asks and I want to laugh out loud, but I just touch her cheek.

     "I'll be fine. Hide behind that tree over there and I'll be out in no time with your brother." Tears form in her eyes but she finally gives in. I lean down, cupping my hand behind her neck and pulling her lips onto mine. Her tears fall, and I brush her hair back, pulling away. "I love you." I remind her.

     "Please be safe." she replies and runs to the trees. I watch her go, relief flooding through me like a fire. But as I turn towards the stairwell it turns into fear. I know what lies at the bottom of those stairs as well as the next room and the next. I begin to sob silently, tearlessly, out of fear. But with a deep breath, I descend down the stairwell.