I spear a glance at Stella. Her eyes never forsake mine, I smile at her, squirming to her. I neglect the pain igniting in my body. I stoop before her, my smile turns into a wide grin as I touch her face and remove the tape.
"This is our chance, Stella."
"Go" she mutters sadly.
"What?" I chuckle, trying to lighten up the mood, she must be joking about staying here.
"Stella. Do you know that this may be our golden opportunity?" I search her eyes for answers, while trying to convince her.
"That's more reason why you should go," tear drops off her eyes, moisturizing her dirty puffy face.
"But-- I can't leave here without you." I sniff.
Her eyes shut as she nods totally in disagreement with me. I really won't forgive myself if I'm unable to get out of here with Stella. Because she will have to pay for my absence. Ralph won't take it easy on her.
"Do you think he's a dumpster...? Ralph is no joke. I've known him all my life, he can't just let you free."
I know Ralph is a brother to Jeremy's late dad, so Stella has definitely nailed the chance to mix with him and study him. But all her life? That's like saying, she knows him right from high school or more.
"What are you tryna say, Stella?"
"I think Ralph sold you out."
I don't know if it's her statement or the worry expression on her face, I fall back dissolving the words in my head.
Cold escalates my body. My lips quiver in fear.
He sold me out!
I drag my feet close to my chest as unpleasant images play in my head. Has he probably sold me off to the 'Messiah'?
"How dare he?" Ire burst in me. Who does he think he is to sell me? My mom.
"This is not the time to get pissed, Baby girl. You have to get outta here,"
"But, you--"
"You shouldn't worry about me now, once you're out. Tell Jeremy everything that happened, how he-- no, you shouldn't tell him that. Just get out."
Tears blind my view before she finishes her talk, I wipe them off with my hands and nod at her. I need to stay strong for her.
"Okay." I agree with her, not completely but I realize I need to, besides there's no way I can unchain her. Ralph had used the same kind of chain and lock he used on me for her.
I struggle to my feet and gaze around, if I chose to pass the entrance, they may catch me escaping. I run my hands through my hair in confusion, I touch something on my head, frowning I remove it and show it to my view. It's a hairpin, I use to pin my hair down this morning. It may be useful, I shrug and return it back.
I glare at the window. An idea slowly struck my head. I rush to the window.
"What are you doing?"
I ignore Stella. I locate the window knob, I turn the knob to open the glass, but it won't open. I try again, the same result.
I heave a sigh.
This is not good, the window will not open, It is locked. I can't believe a window actually has a creepy keyhole. Would I call it modernization or for security purpose. I turn back to Stella in defeat.
"I guess, I will just take the dangerous way,"
"Just go."
She nudges, urging me to go. Her critical situation boosts me to go ahead. I head to the close entrance hoping it won't be lock from the outside. I bend low, kneeling on the floor. I slowly lay down flat with my chest on the cold floor.
I smile at Stella, who's giving me an astound look.
I go back on my knees, "I'm just making sure I won't run into someone"
Her mouth forms 'O' follows by a faint smile. I look back at the demarcated entrance, my heart beat faster. It can be a trap. I sigh again. I walk back to Stella and pace around the room.
"You can do this, you can do this, Haley, yes you can." I encourage myself to push all obstacles away.
"Are you really gonna pace about till they–"
"Stay safe" I turn to the entrance, using my leg to bounce it down to open and at the first kick, it opens crawling down and making a very loud bang.
There comes a long silence after the bang, I spring to the window and plop down expecting Ralph or the Messiah to show up an angry face for my attempt to run. But none has shown up. I exhale in relief. I drift to Stella.
"Go."
I dip my head in affirmation and step-up, steadily treading to the entrance. I peep down to flash at the brown polished floor. I hinge back to Stella.
"Wish me luck." I whisper.
She's right, I need to be out of here. That's the only way to safety.
However, my only fear is that Stella may have to pay once Ralph discovers I'm gone. If he can do all sorts of detrimental things to her, then he's capable of anything. I turn back to her, giving her the last glance before touring the ladder down
. My feet touch the cold floor which makes me realize that I have no shoes on. I look around before deciding to sneak my way out. As I wend dodging, voices whispering arrest my attention.
I know I'm supposed to flee as far as my feet can carry me, but my legs found a new way by going the other way round. I walk down the dark hallway to the source of the voices, it from the basement.
"Do you know what will happen if my nephew comes here the third time?" That's Ralph's.
Jeremy was here again?
"Marco gave rules and we must follow." a voice whisper.
"Damn rules! What do you think is gonna happen when you let her free? That she will trust you?"
"This is not a matter of trust, Ralph. You better have excuses for the bruises on her body."
"You ain't even ready to listen, he's gonna come here with the cops d..."
They are surely talking about me. I decide that I've heard enough, so I race off.
The coast's clear when I arrive at the living room. The choice of leaving Stella drain me, I snap it out and journey to the door.
Accidentally, I grab a sight of a purple glittery object on the kitchen counter where I had drop water early. I stride to it and pick my phone on the table, I press the side button to on it but it's still off. I hold it tight.
Just as I'm about emitting the place, the front door open and I already know the end of it.
I'm caught red-handed.
"Who are you?"