Time is Running Out

Chapter 7

After a few weeks, Alden started to trust Joy.
 
"Miya," Mary said. She was Alden's wife.

"Yes, Mary?"
 
"Mother."
 
"Yes... Mother."
 
"Get me a cup of tea, darling."
 
One day Alden said to Joy, "Miya, take this key and that cart of food."
 
"Yes, Alden."
 
"Father."
 
"Yes... Father."
 
"Go to the Other House and give the food to the
girls."
 
"...girls?"
 
"Laura Paris, Gemma Paris, and Tammy Brendon."
 
Joy gasped. Here was her chance! She quickly took the key and cart, and went to the house. She unlocked the door.
 
Several voices screamed.
 
"It's okay!" Joy could hear a familiar voice saying. "Don't worry!"
 
"Gemma?" Joy gasped, walking into the room.
 
"Joy?!" Gemma said. "What are you doing
here?"
 
"I… I was kid--"
 
"DON'T SAY THE WORD!!" Laura screamed.
 
"Okay. I was… taken too," Joy clarified.
 
"Oh," said Gemma. "These are Laura and Tammy. How come you got taken?"
 
"I know who they are," said Joy. "Actually, my kidnapping was kind of intentional."
 
"You'd get taken on purpose?" gasped Laura.
 
Joy shrugged. "It was to rescue you guys. Emma and Rachel are here too."
 
Gemma's eyes widened. "Really?"
 
"Yeah."
 
"Hey, but…" said Laura, "how come you can get in here?"
 
"Alden sent me to give you food."
 
"Alden?" Tammy spoke for the first time.
 
"Oh, right-- I mean the Kidnapper," Joy explained.
 
"How do you know the Kidnapper's name?"Gemma asked.
 
Quickly, Joy told the other three what had happened since Joy and her friends had decided to investigate the missing girls.
 
"Wow," said Laura. "You guys are amazing!"
 
"Not really," said Joy, blushing furiously.
 
"Miya? Do I need to come check on you?" came Alden's voice.
 
He was walking closer! Joy's eyes grew wide with panic.
 
"Guys," she hissed, "go NOW! Go to the tree that has been carved into. You'll find Rachel and Emma waiting. They'll explain."
 
"What about you?" asked Laura.
 
"Miyaaaaa!"
 
"NOW!" Joy shoved the girls out of the door.
 
They ran.
 
Joy lay down and closed her eyes.
"Miya?" Alden asked.
 
Joy didn't speak.
 
"Miya?"
 
She kept pretending.
 
"Miya? Joy! JOY! Joooyyy!!!!” Then, he gasped, “Oh no!!! MARY!!!”
 
Mary rushed over. “WHAT?! NO!” she screamed and fainted.
 
“I don’t want to lose another daughter!!!” Alden screamed, tears streaming down his face.
 
Joy really wanted to open her eyes and comfort them, but she knew she shouldn't...