Miss CEO

Chapter 33

Hours had passed and outside had grown dark as I sat there trying to figure out a way to escape.

I don't know how this thought came to me, but it did. I suddenly thought of a scene from a movie I had watched. In the scene, the woman had managed to escape from a chair she was tied to using a particular technique. I wondered if it would work when applied to real life, but what other options did I have?

I took a deep breath and tried to push the ache that was in every inch of my body to the back of my mind. Then I slipped my feet out of my work heels that I had now been wearing for about three days straight. I left out a slight sigh of relief once my feet were freed. I first began wiggling my toe, getting some feeling there. It was very limited as my ankle still remained firmly tied. I took another deep breath, hoping that this technique would work. If it didn't, I was practically as good as dead.

I placed my feet firmly on the ground, then leaned forward. The weight of the chair was heavy on my back, but I kept going regardless. I kept going, trying desperately to ignore the burning sensation I felt in my muscles. I continued to tilt forward and slowly I felt the chair lift up from the ground; it was now balancing on my back. I struggled for a moment, trying to balance the chair on my back with my limbs tied as well as to keep from toppling forward. If I fell over, I wouldn't be able to get up, and there would be nothing I could do.

Using a quick burst of energy from within me, I jumped backwards, propelling my body with full force as I twisted to my side, allowing me to spring up higher into the air. I came down unto my back with a hard crash as the chair shattered into pieces beneath me. I smiled, it had worked! It had really worked!

I stood squatting in place for a moment, wondering if either Javier or Malcolm heard the sound of the chair breaking. Nothing. I carried along with what I had to do, there was no time to waste. Reaching back, I used my tied hands to unravel the rope around my ankles, I instantly felt relief as the blood circulation in my legs continued as normal. I let out a breath. I then stood up slowly. Instantly the rope that previously had me tied to the chair fell down loosely and I stepped out of it, almost stumbling and falling in the process. My legs were still very numb, and they ached terribly. I shook them a couple of times to try to get the blood flowing faster into them.

I was free. All except for the rope tied to my wrists behind my back, but I knew I wouldn't be able to take those off, so this was the best I could do right now.

I quickly ran towards the door that I Malcolm and Javier had come in through previously. Turning around, I raised my tied hands and tried the handle. The door opened with a quiet grunt. They had not bothered to lock the door since I had been tied up. Just my luck. I stepped out through the gap, closing the door quietly behind me.

I was now in a long dark hallway; it seemed like it didn't end. I took a deep breath and began walking, keeping my steps light and as quiet as I could make it. My barefoot connected with the hardwood floor as I crept along. Everywhere was silent. I moved quickly and quietly, peering in through any windows I passed. There were various rooms, what looked like a kitchen, some bedrooms. I couldn't figure out where I was, but all I knew was that I needed to find an exit.

I kept walking quietly when I suddenly heard approaching footsteps. Without thinking twice, I ducked into the first room closest to me and ducked down below the window as the footsteps got closer. I was in a small empty room, there was no furniture in it, no windows either, I was almost in complete darkness. I slowly peered through the window and caught sight of Malcolm walking as he passed me. He hadn't seen me but was more concentrated on the chainsaw in his hand. My eyes widened as I looked at the chainsaw. No doubt that was meant for me.

The second he was out of sight I left the room I was hiding in and once again started making my way down the hallway, this time moving a lot faster than I had before. Malcolm was heading to the shed. He was going to find that I was no longer there and raise an alarm. I had little to no time; I needed to get the fuck out of here! My tied hands moved awkwardly behind me as I walked-jogged down the hallway. I suddenly noticed a door at the end of the hallway, it was ajar and I could see light streaming in from outside. That was it. My way out!

I suddenly dashed forward but instantly collided with Javier, who had just stepped out of a room next to me. He looked at me in shock and I mentally scolded myself. I was too busy trying to get out as fast as I could; I had stopped being cautious altogether. If I had checked, I would surely have noticed Javier through the window in the room. Now he just looked at me in shock, mingled with confusion.

"Javier please." I begged staring up at him, "please Javier, just let me go. Please Javier, I don't deserve this. I don't deserve to die this way."

"Javier, she's gone!" Malcolm's voice suddenly yelled from down the hallway. I could hear his quickly approaching footsteps, he was running. I only had a few seconds before he would turn the corner and see me.

"Please let me go." I begged as tears rolled down my face, "please."

I looked at Javier and his features softened, his eyes seemed to become clear again and my heart leaped for joy. He was going to help me; he was going to set me free. Then as soon as it came, it was gone. His face was hard again. His eyes, blank and distant, just filled with rage.

"Malcolm, she's here!" Javier suddenly yelled, grabbing hold of my arm harshly.

My eyes widened, "no!" I screamed. I struggled in Javier's grasp, trying to get away. I turned suddenly and bit down hard on his hand. The metallic taste of blood filled my mouth. Javier let out a shout and punched me hard.

I stumbled backwards, blinking furiously as my vision blurred.

I suddenly felt a hand grasp my neck from behind and I knew it was too late. I had been caught. Without looking up, I could already smell Malcolm's rancid breath. I stood there, my chest heaving and falling desperately as tears welled up in my eyes.

"You thought you could escape, you stupid bitch!" Malcolm yelled, and he punched me hard in my stomach.

I doubled over as I tasted blood leak out of my mouth. My braids had come loose of the hair tie they had been in and now fell into my face. I coughed as I tried not to choke on the blood that was building up in the depths of my throat.

"I'm going to kill you." Malcolm growled into my ear, "and I'm going to enjoy every second of it."

New hot tears rolled from my eyes. I had tried; I had really tried my best. But he was going to kill me. This was truly how I was going to die, this was how my life was going to end.

"Hold this bitch down!" Malcolm yelled at Javier, who instantly grabbed me, holding me in place.

I watched as Malcolm raised the chainsaw above his head. He pressed a button and the chainsaw immediately sprung to life. I stared at it in dismay. This was it, I watched with my eyes wide as Malcolm moved it towards me. In my last moments, I thought about my father who had finally accepted me for who I am. I thought of my mother, somewhere unknown, still hating me for who I am. Who still harbored contempt for me in her heart, I wondered if when she heard the story of my death how she would react. Would she cry and regret everything, or would she smile in satisfaction? Would she say that I had it coming?

A single tear rolled down from my eye as the chainsaw drew closer still.

I thought of Amanda, my best friend throughout. The first person that I had ever opened myself up to, that I had ever let see my vulnerable side. The last person I had spoken to before I was taken. I hoped she would be able to mourn me briefly. Finally, I thought of Miss Rose. I thought of how I loved her but would never get the chance to tell her that. I thought about this past few months that I had been working for her. I thought about how it felt like I had known her forever. Like somewhere deep inside, we were right for each other. She was someone that I had been looking for all my life. Images of the feel of her soft lips against mine flashed through my mind. Images of her intense eyes filled my mind. I hoped to God that she would not blame herself for my death.

'I love you' were the final thoughts that ran through my mind.

I closed my eyes and braced myself.