Chapter 2; Attacked
"Megan, why don't we go upstairs?" Christine asked the girl who was playing with her Barbie dolls on the floor. Megan nodded her head and took all of her Barbie's in her arms and walked up the stairs. Christine followed behind. She stopped when she saw her boss (Megan's father) walking out of the car. She always thought something was on with him. He was looking at her like he wanted her or something and it creeped her out even more when he had asked if she was working out the other day. She saw him looking at her and walked away from the window. She heard Gary yelling something downstairs
"Carla, are you a complete idiot? I had to leave in the middle of a meeting. How do you think that makes me look? You cannot possibly be this incompetent"
"Can we go somewhere else? I don't like it when he gets like this "Megan asked scared. They heard a few crashing sounds and Carla screaming. Christine walked into Megan's room and closed the door and locked it.
"What do you mean when he gets like this? What does he do sweetie?" Christine asked softly. She was scared herself.
"Stay here" They heard Gary say and they heard him walking up the stairs.
"It's gonna be fine" Christine said reassuringly but jumped as she heard Gary's voice through the door along with the door handle moving up and down.
"Megan, sweetie. Megan you in there? Open the door sweetie, now" Christine walked over to Megan and hugged her tightly and suddenly thought of something.
"Go into the bathroom" She motioned for Megan to walk inside and wrapped a towel around her head.
"Just a minute Gary, we're in the bathroom. Be right there" she said quickly. She walked to the door and opened it. She gave her biggest smile that always worked on everyone.
"Sorry. Megan's going through a modest stage. No boys allowed" She winked at Megan.
"So you guys were in the bathroom?" Gary asked suspiciously.
"Yeah" Christine answered nervously. Megan looked at him.
"You didn't hear anything?" Gary asked shocked.
"Hear what?" Christine gave a nervous glance at Megan
He looked at Christine. Almost eyeing her up and down to see any signs of her lying "Carla had a little accident. She slipped"
Christine's eyes widened "Is she okay?"
"Yeah, she's fine. Just fine" He smiled at her. Christine sighed relieved. "Maybe you should go give her a hand?"
"Well..." Christine started but Gary cut her off.
"Please. I need a little time alone with my daughter before I leave okay?" Gary walked over to Megan who was glancing nervously back and forth between Christine and her father
"What's the matter, petal?" Gary asked his daughter who just looked at him blankly.
"We were..."
"Did I not tell you to get outta here?" Gary yelled at Christine and knocked her to the ground so she ended up laying there dazed a few moments.
"Mommy!" Megan yelled.
"It's okay Megan" Christine said reassuringly, even though it wasn't much she could do from the ground.
"Honey, I'm sorry. Daddy's had a bad day... I'm sorry. Just be quiet" When she didn't calm down he stood up "Megan SHUT UP" he yelled and threw her down. She hit her head in the night table and Christine gasped.
"Leave her alone" Christine screamed at him and stood up. She didn't come far up though since Gary was already over her. He knocked her down to the floor. Christine rolled over and kicked him in the stomach. He stumbled over the bed. She didn't hestitate to run away. She grabbed Megan's arm and ran down the stairs. She grabbed Gary's car keys and ran out to the driveway and opened the car. She jumped as Gary knocked on the door.
"Don't do this Christine. I will get you arrested" He threatened her. She turned the car on and drove as fast as she could without looking back to see if Gary had followed. She grabbed her cell phone and dialled the only number she could think of.
"Damn it. Catherine? You there? If you hear this then get Daniel as fast as you can. I was just attacked by Gary today. Megan's with me. I will get her to the police to make sure she's okay. Just get home as fast as possible okay? I think he might try and find you next to get to me" She sighed and turned off her cell phone. There wasn't much she could do without waiting for her sister to answer her call.
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Catherine walked into the nursery, she was tired and she just wanted a quiet night now. Work was a total nightmare, some idiot decided to break the copier meaning she had to stay an extra hour to sort it out. To make matters worse her cell went flat meaning she had no way to tell her sister she would be late with Daniel for tea. Catherine walked up to the desk and smiled at the woman behind it.
"Hey Jess, he being good today?" Catherine asked not wanting her son to have acted out again.
"No, he's being fine. No trouble today. He seemed quite placid actually." Jess said.
"Thanks, I'll be off with him then. Anything I need to know for tomorrow?" Catherine asked as Daniel ran to her and she scooped him up.
"No, not anything I'm aware of." Jess said as she stood up. "Bye Daniel, see you tomorrow!" Daniel waved and kissed his Mommy on her cheek making both women smile. Catherine smiled and walked out of the nursery smiling when her son began to babble.
"Mommy, I had a really weird dream today!"
"What was it about sweetie?" Catherine asked amused at her three years old son.
"I dreamt I could play the banjo!" Daniel said looking serious although Catherine's eyes were sparkling with laughter at the bundle of trouble held in her arms.
"Really, sweetie, that sounds awesome!" Catherine said smiling at him. Daniel continued to talk to her as they walked home. After a while Daniel began to wriggle in her arms.
"Daniel if you want to walk just say so!" Catherine said sternly.
"Wanna walk! Want Down!" He began to wriggle more until Catherine placed him on the floor.
"Happy now?" Catherine asked the dark haired boy who was now sucking his thumb.
Daniel nodded. The air was cool and damp showing the signs of rain, it was fully dark, and she could see the time catching up with her little boy already, his dark brown eyes began to droop and his step became less steady, tightening her grip in his hand in case he fell she slowed down. Behind her she heard footsteps, turning she saw no one. Passing off as her imagination she continued walking.
Again footsteps sounded behind her, making her step faster she noticed the ones behind sped up too. Scooping a whining child into her arms she began to stride down the street faster noticing the footsteps behind her broke into a run.
Suddenly an arm came and grabbed her and Daniel and pulled her into a side street. Catherine let out a scream as Daniel began to cry.
"Shut UP!" A man screamed as he pulled Daniel from her arms much to her horror.
"What do you want?" Catherine whispered trying to see her son who was being placed on the floor and crying louder than before.
"Nothing that concerns you; however your sister is another matter!" His voice was harsh and filled with hate, and Catherine detected a hint of fear.
"My sister, what does she have to do with this?" Catherine screamed at the man aware that her son was getting more and more upset and she only wanted to comfort him.
"That slut should have kept her nose out of my business!" The brutish man screamed.
"Gary?" Catherine gasped, her eyes widening in fear.
"Yes and your going to pay for what your sister did!" And with that Gary grabbed the brunette and slammed her into a wall harshly and grabbed her throat, he began to squeeze harder making her gasp for breath.
Catherine was faintly aware of in the background Daniel screaming and grabbing Gary's legs. It luckily distracted Gary enough that Catherine kneaded him in his family jewels. Scooping up Daniel she ran quickly from Gary who was now laid on the floor clutching his special place.
Catherine almost let out a sob as it began to rain, the air quickly became cold and she began to get soaked by the rain that was now thundering down on her and her child.
"The One of the Light Will Guide The One In The Shadows." A voice rasped, even though Catherine was unsure how she heard it over the rain. Turning she saw no one there. She didn't notice it but she and Daniel had begun to fade. Lightening crashed in the sky and she was gone along with her son.
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Catherine looked around, the place was white, no sounds could be heard except a dull echo of her breathing and her sons. No furniture could be seen, no cars parked.
"Hello?" Catherine called out aware of a sniffling bundle in her arms.
"Mommy, where are we?" Daniel whispered. There was a chill about this place that made Daniel scared.
"I don't know honey. I don't know."
