Amnesia

Chapter 29

I ran as fast as I could, my legs burning and shaking. The door was ajar and it was dark inside. The only sound was of my heavy breathing. 

"Sammy?" I called out as I checked all the rooms. An eerie presence filled the house, keeping me on edge as I examined all rooms. I took the stairs two at a time, the wooden floors creaking under my weight. Light escaped from the gap beneath Sammy's door. I burst in and cried out when I found him tied to his chair with tear-stained cheeks. I fell to my knees in front of him, reached up with shaky hands, and peeled off the duck tape covering his mouth. I moved over to his hands and untied the tight rope that marked his little wrists. "I've got you," I cooed as I pulled his quivering body into a hug. He cried silently into my shoulder, his fists clenching my top. I rubbed his back but kept my eye on the door, afraid of who might appear. I pulled back and wiped away his tears with my thumb. 

"Now listen carefully, I'm going to get you out of here and you will run as fast as you can okay? I'll be okay, just go get help," he nodded in understanding but refused to let go of me. I took hold of his hands in mine and pressed my lips firmly to them. I squeezed my eyes shut and held back on my sobs. Taking in one final breath, I stood up and quickly ushered him out. We made it downstairs and to the door when a hand wrapped around my neck and yanked me back. Sammy looked back in horror and a painful scream erupted from his small body. 

"Sammy go!" I yelled whilst choking. I fought against the figure but they were bigger and stronger than me. They wrapped another arm around my waist and pulled me up as they dragged me back. I kicked and screamed but it was useless. Sammy hesitated before plucking up the courage to go against my orders. 

He ran to the figure holding me, "let her go!", he bit into their arm causing them to lessen their hold on me. I wriggled out and grabbed Sammy's hand. We ran for the door once again when another figure appeared, blocking the doorway. I narrowed my eyes, knowing exactly who it was. The one mystery I was trying to uncover was finally solved. 

"Alice..." there was an ominous atmosphere that surrounded Alice, something I had never seen before. Her presence was threatening and her small figure filled the large doorway. I held Sammy close to me, I could feel his body tense up as Alice took a step forward. 

"I was kind of wishing you'd never remember to be honest," her eyes dragged from me to the figure behind me. They moved, taking their place beside Alice. 

"Max," I said his name with spite. This whole time I was closer to the truth than I had thought. The answers were right in front of me but I was blinded. My best friend and ex-boyfriend were the violators all along. "Let Sammy go and you can do what you want with me," I bargained, hoping Sammy would leave unharmed. Sammy looked up at me with saddened eyes and my face softened. I couldn't promise him if I'd make it out alive. 

"Hmm," Alice pretended to think as she rubbed her chin, "no," she said smugly. 

"Alice-"

"Max, take the young boy and tie him to the tree in the garden, on my word I want you to set fire to it," I screamed out as I pushed Sammy behind me. Max slapped me hard across the cheek making me fall to my knees but I ignored the burning sensation and picked myself back up. Alice smirked, loving the scene that took place. My misery brought her happiness and I wasn't sure why. 

"Sammy run!" I grabbed an umbrella leaning against the wall and whacked Max behind his knees, making him buckle. Sammy ran to the kitchen and to the back door but it was locked. He didn't know what to do. I continued to hit Max with the umbrella, "keys are in the top draw, hurry!" listening to my instructions, Sammy looked for the keys. Having had enough, Alice decided to take charge and marched to the kitchen. I dived for her ankles, making her fall face flat onto the wooden floor.