Chapter 48 Run
RUN
Present day
“Come on guys, we have to hide,” I whispered to the three- and four-year-olds as I struggled to open the false wall compartment in the back of the playroom. There was another loud bang against the front door, like someone had taken a hammer to the wall.
“I’m scared Gabby,” Malic whispered back, his lip quivering. I held him tight as I struggled to open the latch. Uncle Cole had shown me exactly what to do, but my hands shook as I fished for the hidden string on the latch. The boys hugged me tightly as there was a final bang, and Reyna shouted.
“Auntie!” Little Joshua cried, and I jerked him back before he had the chance to run.
“Josh, we can’t go there right now we have to go into the secret room.
I promise I will go get her.” I held my pinky out to him.
He latched it as tears rolled down his cheeks.
The string was almost within reach, and I was stretching on the very tips of my toes for it.
My fingers could almost reach, there was a louder banging and Reyna screamed as I hooked the thread into my fingers.
The concealed apartment door came open, and I shoved the boys upward onto the shelf.
“Remember boys be very quiet, we can’t be heard,” I whispered, putting my finger to my lips.
The house was strangely quiet. I couldn’t hear Reyna fighting anymore, and I shook with unease.
I helped Malic into the cubby first, then lifted Joshua towards him.
As I was climbing onto the shelf to join them, I heard the slow, measured footsteps.
I froze, listening and waiting. I heard the bathroom door open.
Its squeaky hinge creaked a little before it was closed again.
The intruder was right outside. I held my breath as I smiled at the boys, motioning my finger in a zipper lip, and slid the concealed door closed.
They would be safe; they wouldn’t be hurt.
I trusted Uncle Cole to be right about the hidden door; no one would notice it unless they were looking for it.
I got off the shelf with shaky hands, trying to be as quiet as possible.
I snuck towards the toy box, looking for something that would be big enough to hit with, and my eyes caught on the shiny metal in the corner.
I had to be brave, but I was so worried, would Uncle Cole be mad I couldn’t make it into the room? My hands shook as I grabbed Malic’s little baseball bat. I almost dropped it; my hands were so sweaty.
Hit them right in the crotch and then you run like the wind, run like you’ve got the last cookie from the jar and don’t want to share. Run and scream. I blinked as I tried to calm my breathing, remembering what Uncle Cole had taught me. I slowly crept towards the door, with a firm grip on the bat.
I always thought Uncle Cole was strange for teaching me those small things. They seemed like games at the time, but now I knew he was preparing me.
The footsteps were louder as I stood behind the door. With a soft click of the handle, I almost screamed, but I held a bubble in my mouth, waiting for the man to be more visible.
WHAM!
I hit the bat as hard as I could. Screaming, the man fell to his knees with a thud, and I ran.
When I made it to the front room, I saw the blood, butterflies jumped in my tummy, and they weren’t the good kind as I saw Reyna lying on the floor.
I couldn’t leave her. I knew I was supposed to run, but I had to make sure she was okay.
I threw myself at her, hugging her tightly.
Tears ran down my cheeks as I sobbed. “Please Reyna please wake up!” She wouldn’t wake up, so I screamed. “WAKE UP PLEASE I NEED YOU!”
A hand grabbed me from behind, muffling my cries as I looked towards Reyna. I kicked and screamed trying to get away, but he had me. He held me so tight it hurt, and I cried more. My foot dug into his ribs as he carried me away. Please Reyna No.