A/N: I was wondering about one a.m. or so what would've happened if T-Bag had let one of the kids he kidnapped go. This is that story! It's a simple one-shot to keep you guys happy while I finish the new chapter of Visitation, and I am SO close to having it done. :3 It will be up in the next few days!
She had heard thrm crying, listened to them scream, and, thankfully, hadn't watched them die. She was a smart girl, had gotten to skip two grade levels, making her the only eleven year old amongst the ninth graders. Despite her intelligence, she as to frightened to try and think her way out of this. She was dirty, hungry, and tired, and just wanted to go home.
Just then, the barn door screeched open, signaling the man's return. She knew that she was the last, and that it was her turn. The door to the stall was unlocked, and the man stepped inside, smiling sweetly. He looked her probably taking in her long, tangled brown hair, her weary brown eyes, and overall disheveled appearance. The smile went away, probably when he noticed she was crying to flinching away from him, and instead was sitting in the middle of the hay-strewn ground. She was looking him straight in the eyes.
"What's your name?" he asked, his voice warm.
"Audrey." That made him freeze. He stared at her like she was a weirdo.
"Audrey, huh?" She nodded. "You know, that was my momma's name." And to her surprise, he sat down in front of her. They studied each other , and she wondered why he wasn't doing anything.
"Are you scared, Audrey?" he questioned quietly.
"Yes..." She hesitated. "Sir?"
He smiled at that.
"Aren't you going to kill me too?"
He didn't smile at that. That was more silence, and then he just reached out, and touched her hair.
Audrey stayed still, trying to breath like normal. The man stroked her cheek, and then stood. "You know, you look just like her too." he said and then reached out his hand. She took it, and stood, feeling ready for whatever would come next from this stranger.
Except, what he did was take her outside, and away from the barn, and to the steps of the old house nearby. The light hurt her eyes slightly, but it was a good hurt. The man kneeled in front of her, and smiled again, this time it was sad though.
"I'm going to let you go, Audrey." She didn't know how to respond to that, but found herself squeezing the man's hand. He handed her a phone, a tiny cell phone, and closed her fingers around it.
"I'm gonna leave now. Dial the cops, or whoever you want, and let them know you're here, okay? And tell your momma and daddy you got lost or something, alright?"
"Yes sir."
"Wait an hour before making those calls though."
"Yes sir."
"Good girl." She watched him give her one last smiled, and disappear around the side of the house. She heard the engine of a car start, then climbed the steps to the house and sat down.
Audrey looked at her watch, and waited for that hour to be up.