Day One- 4:30 p.m.
After thinking and thinking of planning my escape; I go upstairs and ask if I can go outside and then run for it. I scale the steps and open the door. I'm welcomed into the warmth of the kitchen. I poke my head around the corner to see if anyone is there. Nobody is there. I hear someone talking on the phone upstairs; Shyla.
"Yeah, the brat doesn't know when to shut up. She's going to be done for in a few days. She'll actually know how bad her family really is and how good ours is." Shyla blurted.
What does she mean? What will she do to my family? What will hap..
"There you are Adelyn, did you want anything?" Kerry rejoiced
"No.... I just wanted to get some fresh air. " I snarked.
" I got you a gift." She hands a small box. " I thought you'd like it." I open the box. A book.
" Thanks? " I scoffed.
" Now you listen to me," Kerry gets down to eye level." you will read that book, write an essay on it and enjoy it. Or no food for... a week."
" I'm not reading this book!" I shrieked "All I want is some fresh air. " Kerry takes a deep breath.
" If I let you go outside, you have to promise not to run, not to call for help or anything. Understand?"
" Yes. " I lie.
Kerry opens the front door and steps back so I can step out. The tingle of the frosty air stings my lungs. I hear the cars roar down the streets. The smell of a bonfire is in the distant filling my nose and mind of nostalgia. I step down the porch and walk along the sidewalk. I casually walk to the next house and stop right in front of it and stare at it blankly. What is their life like? What would Kerry do if I ran up to their door? I don't care what Kerry does to me at this point. Before I know it I'm running down the block with Kerry closing in.
" You get back here now!" she scolded with the little breath she has now. " You.. you promised not to run. I- I- trus..trusted you!"
I look over my shoulder. She is closer than she was. I was never good during gym, but now I'm filled with adrenaline. I'm not even in control of my running anymore, the adrenaline controls everything. I'm coming up to an intersection. I don't stop to look for cars until it's too late. I'm hit. I can't feel the pain of the impact. Get up! Get up! She's going to get me." It takes me entirely too long to get up. I can feel her presence a few feet away. She reaches for my hood and her big hands land on it. I'm tugged backward, toward her. I scramble to get my arms out. My arms are entangled in the light cloth. I'm freed. Twenty steps later I feel fingernails piercing my bare shoulder. I stop in my tracks.
" What.. were you.. thinking in.. your right.. mind?" Kerry scolds between gasps, Play along for your own sake. Don't argue and always agree.
" I...I'm sorry. " I break down. " I won't do it ever again. I promise."
" You better not. Come," she demanded while tightening her grip on my shoulder.