Trapped

chapter 4

Chapter 4

      The pyramid was almost finished and the air in the room was supercharged with excitement. With each minute that went by the pyramid grew taller when finally it was tall enough to reach the window. I couldn’t wait another second so I started to scramble up the wobbly structure. I didn’t make it very far before I felt strong hands grab my waist and pull me gently from the structure so that I lost my grip and started to fall backwards only to fall into Sam’s awaiting arms.

      He had caught me in his arms and was now holding my like a baby. It took me a few seconds to clear the haze being so close to him put over my brain and to even think about wiggling out of his grasp but eventually I did start to wiggle around and he set me lightly on the ground.

      I whipped around and turned the full force of my glare on him, “What do you think you’re doing?” I yelled, my breathing becoming heavy.

     “We don’t know if it’s safe or even if it’ll stay up” he said looking a little sheepish.

     “Well then I guess we’ll find out if it’ll stay up once I get to the top.” I said stubbornly as I turned back towards the pyramid, but as soon as I started to climb Sam once again lifted me from the structure but this time I was ready and I wasn’t going down without a fight. I kicked and slapped at his arms and yelled at him to let me go but nothing broke his iron clad grip.

      “Ok! Ok! Fine! I’ll let you down but I’m going up first to make sure it’s safe!” he said.

       I stilled my flailing for a moment so that I could consider it, “Then I go up after you?” I asked.

       “Yes. Then you go up after me.” He echoed in a relieved voice, he was still hesitant about putting me down, but eventually he lowered me to the floor. My abdomen was sore from where he held on too tight and I rubbed it absentmindedly as I watched him scale the dangerous looking structure.

       The structure wobbled and shook a few times and I almost shouted out Sam’s name each time. By the time he made it to the top, my nails were bitten down to nubs and my palms were slick with sweat.

        “Oh my god.” I heard Sam mutter. And I couldn’t wait any longer. I scrambled up the pyramid as fast as I could to see what Sam was gawking at. When I made it to the top I braced myself on Sam’s shoulder but he didn’t seem to notice. He didn’t even need to look to know it was me. “Tessa.” He whispered. “What happened out there?” I finally got up the nerve to look out of the dirty window. And outside… the world was in ruins…