Afraid of the Dark

Chapter One

Chapter One

Elli (One Year Earlier)-

I've always been afraid of the dark. As long as I can remember, I have known the sickening feeling that something was lurking in the dark ready to snatch me away. When I was young this feeling was written off as 'regular child behavior', but now people call me paranoid. I know that most people aren't out to get me, but how can I be absolutely sure?

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The air was dirty, stuffy, filled with the smell of salt water and something sweet I couldn't pinpoint. It made my stomach turn as I slowly wiggled against my restraints. Darkness filled my vision, as I opened my eyes, hitting me with a wave of dread. My hands were bound with something that was irritating my skin. I could feel bumps start to form as I rubbed against the material. My legs weren't bound the same way. A cold metal was around only my right ankle, so I could stand if I wished.

My arms were bound in front of me so I could fold my elbows. I brought my hands to my face trying to get off, what felt like a rag around my head. After struggling to get it up off my eyes for a few minutes I finally flipped it up over my head. I took a deep breath of relief, but that didn't last long, as I looked around.

I was in a dusty room. It had old degrading stone walls that had shelves carved into them that seemed to be hand carved. There was a rocking chair in the corner with a small stuffed bunny and what looked to be a toddler bed along the wall closest to the door. The door had seven locks all varying in size, color, and type. On the ceiling there was those little glow in the dark stars I had as a kid. I frowned seeing a vent on the very top of each of the four walls. There was a light almost smoke coming out of the vents, that was what smelled sickeningly sweet.

I was feeling strangely relaxed as I got to my feet slowly, my legs feeling numb like I had just slept through the day. I had no bruises or cuts anywhere on my body. When I got the bookshelf that was as far as the chain on my ankle allowed. I saw something that struck more fear in me than anything else. On the second shelf to the top sat a picture of me. A picture of me sleeping in my room at home.

Deep grey smoke started to come in through the vents but I didn't notice as I started to pound on the wall between shelves seeing if someone would hear me. "Who are you! Where am I!" I felt wave after wave of fear hit me as if it was suppressed till that moment.

Then everything went black as I felt my body hit the ground hard. I let out a groan of pain before I lost all feeling to my body.

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Linsey (Now)-

I was 15, a freshman in highschool, when Elli was kidnapped. I never understood why someone would do that to her. She was the school president and always took care of others. She was kind. It killed me when the cops deemed her dead. It was like everyone just moved on. Her parents even did a funeral like there was actually someone in the casket.

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I stayed quiet wandering the halls of the school. It was so empty and cold. Summer break had just let out but I promised I would help with setting up the library with new books for the new year. Mr. Roads was at his desk in the library typing away on his keyboard as I came in. I smiled softly at the older man who balded too young and waved.

I sat down and started putting tags on this inside of the books humming to myself.

I liked Mr. Roads just fine. He was quiet and reserved but I would be too if I had gone through what he had. About 3 years ago Mr. Roads daughter Olivia was killed in a car accident with his wife. Since then I've taken extra care to make sure the kids don't bother him

I heard Mr. Roads grumble, something he does often, as he got up from his seat to walk up to me. When he stood beside me I looked up at him. His eyes were dark brown almost black and I felt like I was shrinking as I looked up at him. "Can I help you Mr. Roads?" 

He shook his head and wandered to the back of the library among the looming bookshelves that towered above my staggering 5'0 feet. 

That was odd, I thought to myself as I slowly started back working. 

Mr. Roads is only 35. He was young when he had Olivia. She died at 13. So young, I thought to myself feeling a bit sick at the thought of such a young girl crushed in their little Honda. 

I shook my head clear of my thoughts and kept working diligently. Mr. Roads needed help. He needed someone to count on. I had heard stories about how happy he was when he first started working here at 23. Now he was a grunting, bald, angry at the world, man. And I couldn't blame him.

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When I finished my work I headed out of the school to my car. My thoughts from earlier had drifted to Elli. She was so young too, 16. My age. I hopped into the driver seat of my car and felt a wave of nausea.

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(Still Linsey's point of view the night before Elli was kidnapped)

"What are you talking about?" Elli asked me, her hazel eyes gazing into mine looking shocked.

"I mean it Elli. I seriously do! You walk around and everyone treats you like a queen! I feel like your little sidekick hidden in your beautiful shadow!" 

Elli cringed as I yelled and tears started to slip down her cheeks, "W-what do you mean? You're like a sister to me even more than my real sister. I don't want you to feel that way. You should have told me." She said as she did a little walk jog to wrap her long arms around me.

I stayed quiet for a while before looking up at her. "I think I need a break. From people. From school. You have other friends more important than me anyways."

Elli looked hurt when she took her arms away but nodded. "Okay," and with that she disappeared out my door into the night.

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Tears streamed down my face as I opened the car door to get air. My stomach started to bubble and lurch. I closed my car door and locked it deciding to walk home.

I couldn't drive. Not like this.

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Once I got to the trailer park I started up the path that led to where we parked. As I got closer I could see something sitting on the doormat. It looked like a sweater.

I walked faster up to it and looked down. That's when it happened. I picked up the white sweater the front had dried blood that had dripped from the collar.

I could see the shirt tag with the sharpie on the front. My stomach finally bubbled over and I doubled over.

The inner tag had a name written perfectly in cursive. Elli…

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I hope you enjoyed this story! If you did please let me know in the comments because I would love to read them! 

I'm gonna write many more chapters so stay prepared!