Revealed Secrets

Can knowing the truth save more than it can kill?

The clock struck on as Cheryl waited for the bus. She had never been able to stay in a town long before people got suspicious. Cheryl was a mind reader and could see the future. Since she was a good hearted girl ignoring premonitions to save people was not an option. Sooner or later people would start to wonder. It would be time to move on. The last thing she needed was to be discovered. The bus arrived and she stepped on. Cheryl was headed for St. Louis this time. She hoped she would be able to stay for awhile. Cheryl's hopes were small but still there. She found a place at the back and sat down. There were curious glances all around. After all a sixteen year old girl heading all by herself to St. Louis was pretty strange to small town people. Cheryl was bothered by no one and despite her promise to keep her guard up she soon fell asleep. Cheryl awoke at the sound of a bell. A man was staring at her from across the way. Her eyes widened as he vanished the second he had appeared. He had vanished smiling at her in a strange way. She realized with a fright they knew where she was headed. Cheryl had to grab some quick food and then move on. The bus stopped not too long after that and she headed to the nearest grocery store. Cheryl was picking out some sandwiches,chips, and drinks when she noticed him looking at her. It wasn't the same man as before. This was a boy about her age with dark brown hair and eyes the color of the evergreens back home. He started to walk towards her. Cheryl quickly picked up her items and started to walk toward the register when she felt a hand on her arm. She stopped and turned, it was the boy.

***********

Connor

The girl looked at Connor cautiously. Connor stared into her eyes and she stared into his. He wondered what a girl as beautiful as this was doing in St. Louis. "Hi my name is Connor," he said to her. The girl hesitated before answering, "My name is Cheryl,"she replied in the most beautiful voice he had ever heard. "Do you live around here?" he asked, curious. Cheryl replied, "I'm just visiting with my grandparents." "I'm sorry I have to go they are waiting for me," Cheryl walked over to the register to pay for her groceries. After she had payed for them she started to walk out of the store. Connor caught up to her, "Do you want to go get some coffee or something," he asked anxiously, "There's a great coffee shop around here."

"I don't know," she replied nervously.

"It's not too far away," said Connor, "I promise we won't be gone long." Cheryl looked at him and smiled, "Alright," she said, "Let's go." Connor opened the door for her and they walked out of the store. Connor couldn't believe a girl like that had agreed to go get coffee with him. He thought, "Finally my luck is changing," and he smiled.

**************

Cheryl

Cheryl knew that it was dangerous to linger too long with that creepy guy showing up. She just couldn't bring herself to say no to Connor. He was the most kind and handsome boy she had ever met. He opened the door to the coffee shop and ushered her inside. The smell of mochas and baked goods filled the air. Cheryl breathed it in deeply. It had been awhile since she'd smelled anything so good. She had to admit, the potato chips and snack bars were getting a bit old. They both walked up to the counter, Connor ordered a vanilla bean latte and Cheryl ordered a strawberries and cream frapuccino. They sat down at a table and waited for their order. "How long are you staying?" asked Connor. Cheryl thought carefully, "I'm leaving tomorrow," she replied. The waitress brought their drinks and set them down in-front of them. "Have you been here before?" he asked.

"Yes,"she replied. She had been here before, back when things were different. "You know there's a dance tonight at the school,"he said, "Are your grandparents going to let you go?"

"I don't know," she replied, "I don't know if I could make it."

"It's your last night here they have to let you," he said almost pleadingly. She looked up at him, at that gorgeous smile and dazzling green eyes.

"We'll see," she said smiling. Connor smiled back at her and looked at his watch.

"Uh oh," he said.

"What?"asked Cheryl.

"I'm sorry I have to go, my parents are waiting for me at home," he told her.

"Ok,"she said.

"See you at the dance?" he asked hopefully.

"Maybe," she told him smiling brightly.

"Bye for now," said Connor.

"Bye," she said. With that Connor left the coffee shop walking down the street towards downtown St. Louis. Cheryl stared after him and decided she would go to that dance. Leaving could wait until after the dance was over. "I'm going to need a dress," she thought and set off for the stores. After trying on dress upon dress she finally decided on a beautiful short purple dress with no straps. The dance started at 7:30 p.m. so she had about two hours to get something to eat. Cheryl was heading for the food court when suddenly she saw Connor running up to her.

"Hey," said Connor,"I was hoping I would run into you before the dance." "I was thinking we could go get something to eat,"he said,"You hungry?"

"Yeah, sure," she replied, she was starving. They weren't going to the food court like she thought. In fact, Connor took her to the most famous restaurant in all of St. Louis. "How can you afford this?" she asked curiously as the waiter showed them to their table and seated them.

"My Uncle Henry sends me money every month I've been saving up for this dance,"said Connor,"In hopes I would have a wonderful girl to go with me." Connor smiled at her and she smiled back. It had been a long time since someone had cared about her. The waiter came by with some water and they ordered the jambalaya with two cokes. Their order came quickly and they ate slowly just talking about nonsense things until a teenage boy in expensive looking clothes approached their table.

"Hello, Connor,"said the boy,"Never expected to see you here." The boy smiled smugly at him.

"Hello,Eric," said Connor annoyed, "We're just having some dinner before the dance." Eric looked over, finally noticing the girl sitting across from Connor.

"Well, hello," said the boy smiling at her,"My name is Eric, but I suppose you already know that."

"Cheryl,"she replied. She didn't know what it was, but something about this boy didn't feel right. He grabbed her hand and kissed it smiling smugly again. She looked across the table and saw that Connor looked extremely irritated. Eric dropped her hand and turned to Connor once more.

"I'll see you at the dance,"he said to Connor ,"The rest of us are taking my limo, you can join us if you'd like." He wasn't looking at Connor when he said this, but at Cheryl. Connor was about to speak, but Cheryl beat him to it.

"Look,"she said angry at him for being such a snob,"I'm not a fan of people flaunting their wealth,thinking that all the girls will fall for you the minute you enter a room, that all the guys wish they were you. "Some of us are kind and polite, where as you just simply snap your fingers and expect people to follow you around like little puppies," she said still irritated at him,"Now if you'll excuse us we were just leaving, Connor?"

"Oh, right,"said Connor surprised. He picked up his jacket, pulled out the chair so Cheryl could get up, and they left leaving Eric still standing in front of the table. You could hear the music coming from the dance all the way down the street from the school. They had decided to walk since it was such a nice night and the air was cool. Connor took her hand and she didn't protest in fact when he looked away she blushed. They walked through the big double doors of the school and into the gym. "This is so cool!" thought Cheryl as she took in all the decorations, music, and the awesome buffet table. The music was fun and exciting and before she knew it she and Connor were dancing away. The night went on, but Cheryl barely noticed, she was having an amazing time! Things died down and the music got slower, tired and out of breath Connor decided to go get some punch while Cheryl sat down at a nearby table. She leaned her head back against the chair just as she heard a familiar voice.

"I must say you look even sexier than earlier," said Eric.

"What a pleasant surprise," said Cheryl sarcastically.

"You know, I like my girls feisty," he said chuckling slightly,"How about a dance?"

"I don't think so," she replied.

"Just one dance?" he asked,"I promise I'll leave you alone." Exasperated she sighed and agreed,"One dance," she said definitely.

"One dance," he repeated. Eric took her hand and led her back to the dance floor, just as a slow song started to play. "Oh great! " she thought this can't get any worse. They started to sway gracefully across the dance floor. Eric was whispering into her ear,but she wasn't paying attention, she was scanning the gym for Connor. When she couldn't find him she sighed in despair. All of a sudden, Eric's hands went from her waist to her butt. She pulled away from him fast and slapped him hard in the face.

"How dare you!" she yelled at him. She stormed out of the gym not even bothering to try and find Connor. She closed her eyes and leaned against one of the lockers in the hallway and began to breath deeply in and out. She heard footsteps and felt a hand grab her arm.

It was Eric and he looked mad.

Let go of me," she demanded. Before Eric could respond someone quickly turned him around and punched him square in the face. She felt the hand drop from her arm and she opened her eyes and looked up seeing Connor.

"Connor!" she practically yelled with relief and hugged him.

"Are you okay?" he asked her filled with worry.

"I'm fine,"she assured him.

"Do you want to get out of here?"he asker her.

"Yeah, let's go,"she said and smiled. They walked out of the school and just walked the streets talking and laughing. Their fun lasted until Connor checked his watch and saw it had just turned 12:00.

"Ah crap,"he said and sighed,"I have to get home."

"Where's your grandparent's house?" asked Connor,"We should start walking before they call out a search party." Cheryl hesitated, she hadn't wanted the night to end. Also she didn't have any grandparents, she had to make up a story quick.

"Uh,"she hesitated,"How about we go to your house." Connor looked surprised and Cheryl quickly started talking again. "Well, you see,"she said quickly,"My grandparents always lock the house at ten and I forgot my key."

"Um,okay,"said Connor,"Just be really quiet when we get there, you don't want to wake up my parents, trust me." Connor smiled and he took her hand as they started walking to his house. Connor's house was beautiful thought Cheryl as they approached the stone walkway. It was a small two story victorian house. Cheryl had to turn away because she had begun to cry. She hadn't seen or been inside a house in three years, not since that day. "Cheryl,"said Connor touching her arm,"Are you alright?" She wiped the tears from her face before she turned to him.

"I'm fine,"she assured him and she managed a small smile. He hugged her and led her up the walkway,onto the porch,and through the front door into the house. Connor turned the lights on and showed Cheryl upstairs. He opened the door to his room and ushered her quietly inside.

"This is my room,"he told her,"What do you think?" His room was nice. It had a queen size bed, night stand with a lamp on top of it, a wooden desk, and a comfy looking window seat with a large window facing the front of the house.

"It's nice,"she replied.

"I'll be right back," said Connor. He went out of the room and shut the door leaving her alone with just her thoughts. Cheryl's exhaustion was beginning to take over so she sat down on the end of Connor's bed. Connor came back carrying what looked like pajamas.

"Here," he said and motioned for her to take them,"You might be a bit warmer in these." "The bathroom is down the hall on the left,"said Connor. Carrying the pajamas, Cheryl left the room and went into the bathroom to change. The pajamas weren't too big on her, they actual fit quite nicely. She returned to Connor's room and saw him sitting on the bed. She enjoyed the sight of seeing his jaw drop. Cheryl blushed as she sat down next to him on the bed.

"They fit," she said and smiled. Connor didn't say anything, he just smiled sweetly at her and took her hand. Before she knew it Connor leaned in and kissed her. It was the most wonderful feeling she had ever had. His kiss was unlike anything she had ever felt before. But all of a sudden everything faded away and she found herself standing in the hallway on the second floor. She looked around wondering what was going on. Then it dawned on her, she must be having a vision. Ah crap, she thought, why now? There was nothing she could do about it so she decided to return to Connor's room. She opened the door and her eyes grew wide and her jaw dropped in horror. She saw herself and Connor sitting on the end of the bed, but someone new was standing in front of them. It was the man Cheryl always saw appear, but now instead of a quick image, the real thing was standing in front of them.

"Awe, how sweet," said the man sarcastically. "But, young man I'm afraid she's going to have to come with me,"said the man.

"You won't touch her," he said bravely standing up and shielding Cheryl behind him.

"Have it your way then," said the man and he pulled out a gun from his coat and shot Connor without hesitation.

"No!" screamed both Cheryls. The man grabbed the vision Cheryl and disappeared from sight. Cheryl came back from the vision breathing hard and shaking. Connor was staring at her concern in his eyes.

"What was that?" he asked her,"All of a sudden you went still for a few minutes."

"We have to get out of here,"she told him urgency in her voice.

"What?"he asked,"Why?"

"Connor,"please just trust me,"she begged him,"We have to leave,now"

"Bu--" he started.

"Connor, please!," she begged him again,"I promise I will explain everything later, but we have to leave now!"

" I trust you," he said and kissed her again. Connor packed his duffel bag and Cheryl changed back into her dress there was no time to put on her other clothes she usual wore. Connor took whatever money he had and they left without another word. They half walked, half ran to the bus station. There was only one bus leaving St. Louis, they were in luck. They were headed for Connor's Uncle's house. Connor had told her about his Uncle when they were walking around after the dance. His Uncle lived in West Virginia. Connor was going to visit his Uncle anyway so he wasn't unexpected. Explaining her presence there, Cheryl realized was going to be a bit of a problem. Connor was the only one with money because Cheryl had spent the last of her's on the dress, so he went up to buy the tickets. Cheryl put her head in her hands and breathed deeply in and out again, but it didn't help calm her down this time. She knew she had to explain herself to Connor and that was going to take all her courage. He came back and sat down next to her, he put his arms around her and she didn't protest she enjoyed the comfort of his presence. "The bus doesn't leave for another hour,"said Connor,"Now will you tell me what happened back there." Cheryl decided to start from the beginning for that seemed the easiest thing to do. Cheryl woke up early that Sunday and went about her usual routine of a shower,doing her hair, and dressing for the day. Cheryl and her mom Vanessa were supposed to go shopping today,go to the cafe, and go walking in the park. She grabbed her messenger pack,some money, and a pair of dark sunglasses. Cheryl was hurrying down the stairs when she heard two people in the kitchen and slowed to a stop to listen.

"You should've known we'd find you eventually Vanessa," said the voice it was a male's voice.

"Carlisle please,"she begged,"You can't do this." Cheryl was worried for her mom so she hurried the rest of the way downstairs and took in the scene in front of her. Her mom had her back to to the kitchen counter and a tall man in black stood in front of her.

"Mom?" said Cheryl,"What's going on?" They both turned to the sound of her voice and Cheryl saw the terror in her mom's eyes.

"So, this is Cheryl,"said Carlisle," I haven't seen you since you were a baby." He smiled at her,but all it did was make her sick to her stomach. He started to walk towards her,but Cheryl's mom tried to get in front of him.

"Cheryl you need to get ou--,"but before she could finish her sentence and get to Cheryl Carlisle grabbed her, turned her around, and with a knife stabbed her right in the chest.

"No!"screamed Cheryl tears dripping down her face as he pulled the knife out and let her mom fall to the ground. She tried to go to her mom, but Carlisle stepped in front of her.

"Now Cheryl," he said,"I think it's time we get going." He put his knife away, back into a sheath on his belt.

"How could you?"Cheryl asked him still crying.

"It had to be done,"he told her,"Now come we have to be going now." He turned to walk out the door,but Cheryl remained still. She knew her mom would not want her to go with this murderous and dangerous man. So Cheryl did the only think she could think of. She grabbed a frying pan from the rack hanging from the ceiling and before the man could turn around to see what was keeping her, she hit him on the back of the head and he fell with a thud on the hall floor. Cheryl took one last look at her mother and ran out of the house, leaving all she'd ever loved behind.

"Oh, Cheryl,"said Connor hugging her,"I'm so sorry." Cheryl did her best to keep her tears in for this was not a time to cry they had to get going. The bus pulled into the station and she and Connor stepped on. They headed to the back of the bus and sat down,still feeling uneasy. Cheryl set her bag down and looked out the window. She spotted the man standing outside of the bus and when he saw her looking at him he locked eyes with her. She nudged Connor and he looked out the window at the man. The man made his way toward the door of the bus and stopped the driver before she could close it.

"Do you have a ticket?"asked the driver. The man shook his head. "Sorry, can't let you on without a ticket,"she said and closed the door. The bus started rolling and Cheryl and Connor watched the man fade into the distance. Cheryl was able to relax again even if it was only for a short while. Connor pulled something out of his bag, it was an ipod. He handed one of the headphones to Cheryl and she put it in her ear. It was Evanescence playing,her favorite band. That was another thing they had in common,Cheryl smiled as she drifted off to the sound of the music in the comfort of Connor's arms. Cheryl found herself running dow a long hallway that never seemed to end. She could hear her mother's screams for help, but the farther she went the fainter they got until they finally stopped. Cheryl skidded to a stop right in the middle of the hallway.

"It's useless to try and run away from me,"said a voice she recognized, it was the man,"I'll get you eventually." "Your father is missing you,"said the voice again. She turned around quickly after hearing those words,but she found no one there.

"Where are you?" she asked frightened,"What are you talking about?"

"You'll find out soon enough," the voice said. Cheryl woke up with a start, it was dark and she found Connor still asleep. "Her father?" she thought curiously. She didn't have a father, he died when she was little, she didn't even remember him. She tried her best to fall asleep again,but all she did was fall in and out of sleep restlessly the rest of the night. Fortunately, the days passed peacefully and there was no sign of the man in black. Cheryl and Connor finally arrived in n West Virginia and they were exhausted as can be. Several Days on a bus did not do the body any good. With the last of their money Connor paid a cab to take them up to his Uncle's house. Cheryl and Connor emerged from the cab. Connor paid the cab driver and he drove away faster than Cheryl thought was legal, he seemed to want to get as far away from the house as possible. Somehow, Cheryl knew why, the house did seem, well in all honesty extremely creepy. It was the tallest house she had ever seen, four stories high. The windows were all dark, she could not see any light coming from inside. The front door stood tall and menacingly, as if daring anyone to enter. Connor went ahead walking onto the porch and he reached for the doorbell pressing it lightly. She could hear the bell sound inside the house. She walked to the house hesitantly and stood beside Connor. Connor grabbed her hand and squeezed it reassuringly.

"It's going to be fine,"he told her. Cheryl wished she could believe that, she really did. The door opened wide and a maid in the traditional uniform stood in the doorway. She seemed to be sizing up Cheryl with her eyes, but then she looked at Connor and she smiled widely before grabbing him into a big bear hug. "I missed you too Helen,"he managed to say.

"It's so good to see you,"said Helen and she looked at Cheryl again,"Who's this?"

"This is Cheryl,"he said smiling at Cheryl,"We go to the same school in St. Louis."

"It's nice to meet you,"said Helen holding her hand out to Cheryl. Cheryl took her hand and shook it.

"You too,"she replied. Cheryl started to shiver a little, it was getting a little chilly out. The maid slapped her hands together in embarrassment.

"Where are my manners,"she said still embarrassed,"Come in, come in, you must be freezing." Cheryl and Connor stepped inside and as the door closed behind them Cheryl stared in amazement. The house creepy on the outside was absolutely beautiful on the inside. The walls of the hallway were covered with beautiful paintings and gorgeous statues stood against the wall in the spaces where there weren't paintings. The maid led them down the hallway and to a door on the left. Cheryl wished she could see the rest of the house but, she knew she had to meet Connor's Uncle Henry and explain herself first. Then she would explore the house more, that is, if he didn't kick her out first. Connor was still holding her hand and he squeezed it reassuringly again. The maid opened the door, motioning for them to wait outside and entered the room. After a minute the maid opened the door again. "He is ready to see you now," she said smiling and walked away leaving the door slightly open. They entered the room slowly and closed the door behind them. Cheryl and Connor made their way towards a beautiful desk and behind it a chair with it's back turned toward them.

"Uncle?" asked Connor. The chair turned around and as it did Cheryl's eyes widened in a moment of fear and panic made her heart beat fast inside her chest. There he was same black outfit, same creepy features, and same strange smile he always gave her when she saw him. Connor was smiling but, it had faded the second he saw the man's face. It seemed as if the world was frozen, nobody made a move, nobody dared breathe. Connor was the first to move and he went right up to the man and said, "Where's my Uncle?!" He seemed to Cheryl not scared, but very, very angry. The man rose from the chair and walked over to the large window in the study, continuing to stare at the two of them.

"Your Uncle is safe," he told him, "That's all you need to know." Connor let out a roar and rushed the man only to find he had moved from in-front of him to in back of him, he was now holding Connor's arm, securely, and tightly behind his back. Connor tried to wrench free, but the man's grip remained firm and steady. Connor's face twisted in pain and Cheryl's heart was breaking for him. She walked toward them, Connor was still trying to get free of the man's iron grasp.

"Connor," she said softly, trying to hold back her tears. Her life had been so awful since that painful day and now today seemed like Dejavu, only it wasn't her mother in danger, it was Connor. Connor stopped struggling at the sound of her voice and he looked up at her. The pain was clear on his face and it hurt her deeply to see him like this. "Please," she begged the man, she'd get on her knees if she had to, "Please let him go, I'll do whatever you want, just please." Cheryl could barely contain her tears, but she would not cry in-front of the man, not again. He released Connor and Connor rushed to Cheryl's side.

"I'm glad to hear that," said Carlisle, Cheryl remembered his name quite clearly now. "Your father has been waiting for you for a long time," he told her smiling leeringly.

"My father died when I was little," she said trying to put up a brave front even though her knees were shaking.

"Believe what you like,"he said to her,"You'll see him soon enough." The man walked up to Cheryl and was about to put his hand on her shoulder when he stopped. "Now boy," he said to Connor, "You're not going to try that again are you?" Cheryl looked down at Connor's hands and saw they were clenched into fists.

"Connor, please don't" she said to him and put her hands over his until he relaxed his fists. Carlisle led them upstairs and onto the left hallway and stopped them at the third door on the left.

"You'll be staying here tonight," he said motioning for Cheryl to go inside, "Be ready to leave in the morning." He opened the door and motioned again for her to go inside. Cheryl took a few steps inside and turned around just in time to see Connor's face, stricken with worry and fear before the door slammed in her face.

****

Connor paced back and forth in the room Carlisle had put him in. He had to get Cheryl and himself out of the house. He couldn't let her be dragged off to whatever this guy had planned for her. He wasn't going to let her sacrifice herself just to save him. He loved Cheryl, he couldn't explain how he loved a girl he barely knew, but he did and he wasn't going to let anything happen to her. He would protect her even if it meant losing his own life. He walked over to the large king bed in the room and sat on the end. He moved himself to wear he was leaning on his knees and and put his head down, holding his head in his hands. Connor was trying to remember any way to escape from this old victorian home. The house seemed like a fortress with no way out, especially now that they were being held captive by a dark man. Connor was racking his brain thinking of a way out when he heard a commotion coming from behind a wall next to the fireplace. A puzzled look came across his face as he listened to sounds of feet shuffling and of locks clicking out of place. The wall opened like a tiny door, revealing a dark tunnel behind it. Connor got up from the bed walking slowly and cautiously toward the dark tunnel in the wall. He stopped short as two hands came out grabbing the edges of the wall. Next a person's whole body emerged and Connor's mouth dropped open in shock and surprise.

****

Cheryl

Cheryl laid back in exhaustion and total defeat. She closed her eyes thinking about her inevitable fate and that there was no way out this time, not even a frying pan could help her out now. She laughed to herself as she thought that, but the humor was lost quickly as the facts of what was happening came back to her. She put her hands over her eyes, wanting to shut out the world. A thought came into her head suddenly, something she hadn't thought about for a long time. It was a memory of a friend who taught her to never shut out the world, and to accept it how it was and do your best to move forward. The friend's name was Chyrese and she was her best friend. Cheryl missed her a lot, she hadn't seen her since the day before she ran away. It seemed that day that Chyrese had kept trying to tell her something, but they were having so much fun that day whatever she was trying to tell her was soon forgotten. Cheryl and Chyrese had decided to go to a Carnival that day because they were celebrating. They were celebrating that they had both just aced their finals and the pressure was off. They did all the rides, got churros, pretzels, and cotton candy, and played all the games the Carnival had to offer. They even won a few prizes. Chyrese won a stuffed animal panda and Cheryl won a stuffed animal dog. The Carnival ended at 8:00 p.m. and still excited and the fun of the Carnival still lingering around them, they went to Cheryl's house to spend the night, because they had planned to do so earlier. The walk home they spent talking about the days events, friends, and school the following Monday. When they finally arrived at Cheryl's house and were all set up to go to bed in Cheryl's room, Chyrese's attitude changed from one of happiness to one of utter and complete sadness.

"Chyrese?" asked Cheryl worried, "Are you okay?" Chyrse raised her head and looked Cheryl in the eye, shaking her head.

"Cheryl?" said Chyrese seeming to struggle to keep her composure.

"Yeah?" responded Cheryl moving over to Chyrese and putting her hand on her back.

"I have to tell you something," she admitted still not breaking eye contact.

"What is it?" Cheryl asked in complete confusion. Cheryl was worried immensely about Chyrese and wished she would tell her already.

"I'm moving," she told her. Chyrese's words seem to hang in the air, "To Virginia." Cheryl couldn't believe her ears and she broke down in tears, giving Chyrese a big hug. "Listen to me," she told her breaking away from the hug, her voice stronger now, "I need you to stop crying and listen to me." Cheryl stopped her crying and nodded. Chyrese then pulled out a long silver chain with a beautiful amethyst pendent encased in silver. She put it in Cheryl's right hand and clasped Cheryl's right hand over it. "Promise me," she told her almost crying again, "Promise me you'll wear this, it will keep you safe."

"I promise," answered Cheryl. Cheryl and Chyrese hugged again for a long time before exhaustion began to overtake them and they decided they needed to get some sleep. Cheryl didn't know what Chyrese meant by the necklace keeping her safe, but she put it on without question. Chyrese had promised she'd write, but she never did. Cheryl pulling herself out of memory lane, reached for the pendant around her neck and held it in her hand, hoping for it to give her some courage and to help her get out of here somehow.

"Cheryl," said a voice it sounded like a ghost, but Cheryl knew that that was impossible. "I need your help," said the voice. Cheryl knew whose voice that was, but it couldn't be.

"Chyrese?" asked Cheryl. The voice didn't respond. That was odd, thought Cheryl. Cheryl began to search the room, looking under the bed, behind the bed pillows, and out the window, but found nothing, no recording device of any kind. She knew it couldn't be anywhere else because Carlisle seemed to not want anything in the room, but a bed with a few pillows on-top. Cheryl walked to the bed, sat on the end, and laid back feeling no more near escaping her fate than she was minutes ago. Cheryl looked down at her necklace once more, holding it in her hands and running her fingers over it feeling the smoothness of the gem. Cheryl's mouth dropped open in complete surprise as she looked at the gem in complete awe. The gem was growing brighter and brighter as the seconds passed, until it cleared up and showed a small clear picture of a girl in a dungeon. Her hands were above her head connected to chains and her head was hanging down with her hair falling over her face, covering it. The girl's clothes were old and torn and the pattern on the shirt was partially faded away. The pattern seemed to consist of a happy face smiling and with one eye winking. Cheryl knew who it was even before the girl moved her hands a little and looked up, seeming to stare straight into Cheryl's eyes.

"Help me," the girl mouthed, "I'm almost out of time." Just then Cheryl saw light come through the dungeon room, someone had opened a door. The image disappeared almost as quickly as it had come and the amethyst returned to its original self.

"Oh no," Cheryl said quietly and filled with worry. The girl in the dungeon, was Chyrese.

****

Connor

Connor looked up and stared at the man who had just climbed out of a hole in the wall. He was at least five inches taller than Connor, with dark brown hair, and gray-blue eyes. He looked to be in his early thirties. Connor couldn't believe his eyes, standing there in-front of him, was his Uncle Henry.

"Uncle Henry?" he asked still not completely sure what he was seeing was real.

"Nice to see you to," he said chuckling a little and dusting of the sports coat he was wearing.

"I'm sorry,"said Connor, "I was just a little surprised, considering you just came out of a hole in the wall." "How did you?---" started Connor, but his Uncle cut him off.

"You didn't think your grandma never caught me doing anything by luck did ya?" he asked laughing, but quietly so as not to be overheard, "I used these secret passages a lot when I was young.

"Secret passages?" asked Connor astounded, "As in more than one?"

"Yes, of course more than one," he said to Connor matter of factly. The two stared at each-other for one more second before embracing each-other enthusiastically in a big hug. After the embrace was over and they let each-other go Connor wanted to know what had happened to his Uncle Henry.

"What happened?" asked Connor curiously.

"I promise I will tell you all about it, but right now we have to go," he said to Connor. Connor nodded. His Uncle Henry turned around and began to enter back into the tunnel, when he turned slightly, motioning for Connor to follow him.

"I can't leave Cheryl," he told his Uncle, "We have to find her." "The man who captured us," Connor said and paused, "He wants to take her away somewhere and I can't let that happen." "I have to save her," he said with such emotion, it's a wonder he wasn't crying.

"Don't worry," he said to Connor, "We'll find her." Connor's Uncle put his hand on his shoulder for a few seconds before letting go of him. "I think I have an idea where she might be," he said and disappeared into the tunnel with Connor following close behind.