Chapter 4

"Who are you?! I don't even know your name!" I yelled, angrily at my captor.

"I'll tell you mine when you tell me yours," he bargained, raising an eyebrow at me. I crossed my arms and looked away from him.

"Take me home," I practically whispered. He sighed before he headed towards the door.

"I can't," he said simply before he left. I flinched when the door locked. I was really trapped here. I couldn't control my sobs as I curled up on my side. I cried louder and harder than I had since my mom died. Just the thought of my brother and my dad thinking I was dead was enough to break my heart. I didn't want them going through that... not again. My sobs and crying eased and eventually I was just staring at the light filtering in through the giant window.

An idea occurred to me. I wiped my tears away as I walked towards the window and prayed for a miracle. I unlatched the window and pushed gently. It slid open easily. I looked down to measure the distance. I looked down, and up. I was on a third floor out of four floors in a house.

Who has four floors in their house?

There was only a slab on concrete on the ground under the window. I also noticed a footing all the way down. If I was careful, I could climb down. If not... let's just say it was a long way down. If I could reach the forest and keep straight, I would find a town eventually, maybe use someone's phone to call my dad. I risked a glance behind me before I climbed out of the window and onto the ledge.

I could do this.

I took and deep breathe and prepared myself for the next step down. If I was careful, I’d be able to climb down safely.

"What are you doing?!" A frantic voice asked. I spooked and looked through window, losing my footing. I screamed as I fell backwards to what I knew would be a sure death. It felt like everything slowed down. It was like I was on the drop of a rollercoaster without the cart and seat restraint. My stomach dropped as I saw the man who kidnapped me jump out the window not even a split second after me. My eyes connected with his as my body collided with the concrete. It knocked the wind out of me and I couldn't even scream. I felt the man's hands hold my head. It was the only part of my body that wasn't screaming. Breathing was difficult and came in gasps. Black dots swam in my vision. I couldn't move. The man appeared in my line of vision, and he looked scared and worried. My eyes slipped close watching him worry over me. I just didn't want to be in pain anymore. It was too painful. I couldn’t hold on anymore.

"No, no, no, stay awake," the man yelled, but he already sounded so far away.