Second Level

Chapter 1

                                                                                KIRSTEN

The sirens were so loud. Ear splitting, headache inducing, and mostly... they were terrifying. That sound, that meant they were after us. They found our room empty and now they would be sending the dogs out. As if on cue the sound of baying hit me, and I spun, locking my arms around my little sister’s waist. I could feel her hear racing, feeling her tears on my neck.

She was just as scared as me, probably more. We both knew the penalty for trying to escape, and neither of us wanted that. I took off down the hall again, holding her head against my neck, trying to cover her ears in the process. It seemed to me like the hall was only getting longer, and the sound of the dogs was only getting louder. I needed to get out, now.

But where, how... How did I manage to get out of the second story of a building? Did I risk jumping a window? That could hurt her and I couldn’t put my sister in danger like that. But we had to get out, we had to. I aimed for the end room, the room that always had the largest window, and almost tripped taking the corner.

“Leah, Leah listen to me.” She was trying to catch her breath through sobs, her eyes tear filled. It broke my heart to see my little sister like this, and only made me want to save her more. “Leah, hun, you’ve gotta do exactly as I say.” My only response was her tiny nod, and a small whimper ‘okay.’

Shooting a glance over my shoulder at the window I turned back to her, offering a comforting smile. “I won’t let them get you, I promise.” With that I stood, pulling the window open, making sure it was propped up. I picked Leah up again and sat her on the window ledge. “You have to jump to me when I say so, alright? I’ll catch you I promise.”

“But... Kirsey...” I could see more tears coming and I shook my head.

“Listen to me, Leah, I won’t let you fall okay?” Reluctantly, she nodded, biting at her bottom lip to hide the sobs. I rested my hand on her cheek for a second before pushing myself off the ledge of the window. Falling felt like it took ages, though I knew it was only a bit over a couple second. I hit the ground in a roll, not letting the pain phase me. I needed to catch Leah, like I’d promised.

Through the pain I found my footing again. It seemed the world was spinning around me, and I felt myself wanting to just sit, but I couldn’t. I wouldn’t let my sister face that punishment. I stumbled back over to the window, looking up to see a very scared looking Leah. I shook my head and held out my arms. I could see she didn’t want to jump, she was having second thoughts.

“Leah! I’ll catch you!” She shook her head, taking a quick glance behind her. C’mon Leah, jump, just jump. “I promise Leah!” Another head shake, and she took a step back into the room. “NO! Leah!” I could hear the hounds now; I knew they were close to her, close enough where most kids would just give in.

“LEAH! JUMP!”

---

Startled, I shot up in bed, sweat making my dusty colored hair stick to my forehead and neck. I didn’t know where I got it, but the blondish-grey hair was something that set me apart from my beach blonde sister. My sister… Leah! I ripped the covers off, tearing down the hall to the end room and shoving the door open. Just like any other night, Leah was there, in her bed, fast asleep. I breathed a sharp sigh of relief, and let my shoulders relax.

I hated that dream. I hated that feeling, like something was wrong, something or someone was hurting my sister. I couldn’t allow that. Sighing again, I turned on my heel, gasping when I found myself staring at a chest. A pair of hands set on my shoulders, and I snapped my eyes up. “Hah… Kyler you scared me.”