A/N-This is it! Chapter 4! Yes! By the way, I'm awfully sorry to all my amazing readers for not updating for a few days. My bad. I was just terribly busy with homework and friends and all sorts of other time consuming stuff. So, please forgive me. Haha. Anyway, the Twilight Saga is owned by Stephanie Meyer and the Cara family and Toto (Aunty Gianna's dog) are only owned by me. I also own this storyline. I have not stolen anything. I would very much like to thank Guest, booklover1598 and karishma for your supportive and heart-warming reviews. I'm absolutely touched that you all enjoy my story! I do try hard to entertain my beloved readers. Anyway, enjoy chapter 4! I hope it's to your satisfaction!
I clenched my teeth tightly as I used all my strength to wrench open the lock on my bedroom window. I haven't opened this window in quite a while. Mama doesn't want pesky insects in the house. After a second or two, the window unlocked with a soft 'click'. I pushed the glass window open. A blast of cool air and smells greeted me. I sighed in content, enjoying the smell of cooking bread wafting into my bedroom. Then I remembered my sole purpose. I ignored the delicious smelling aroma and looked down. I could jump but I could also break my leg. I had a quick debate in my head. No, it isn't worth the risk. If I broke my leg when I hit the ground, I'd be grounded for months when Mama or Papa discovered me lying then, yelling in pain, and realised I had intended on sneaking out. Well…that's if Papa even cared enough to bother coming outside to investigate the yelling. I shut the windows tightly and locked them shut again, converting them to their original state. I rushed to my dresser and jiggled the stiff drawer out. I need a small bag. But it also has to suit the clothes I'm wearing. I'm picky like that.
I browsed for a few seconds and found the perfect one. I grabbed my small, yellow shoulder bag and swung it onto my right shoulder. I picked up my report card, the purpose of this secret trip, and slipped it into my bag. Right, all set! I crept out of my bedroom and peeked around. No one in sight. Good! I'd be able to get out of this house without being seen, easily. I tip toed across the landing and down the wooden stairs. I have figured out where I will exit from. The door in the laundry room. I could just creep out into the back street and go around to the front. "Where do you think you're going?" a disapproving voice asked. I froze. Dang! Caught. "Well?" Mama asked. I turned around to face her. Her right foot is tapping and her thin arms are folded. It means Mama suspects something is going on. I've grown up with that look. I raced through possibilities in my head. "Uh…I'm…um…going to get some bread. Yeah, I'm just heading out to buy some bread! I couldn't find any in the kitchen so I thought to make up for my accident with the dirty rag on the windows; I would go and buy some bread for you." I stammered.
Was that the best I could come up with!? Mama appeared to think for a moment. "Oh! Well…that's lovely of you! Thanks, Dani." Mama said, walking over and giving me a quick hug. It seemed like Mama believes my white lie. Perhaps I could really go and buy Mama some bread. After all, I still have the wad of Euro Papa handed to me a few days ago. Maybe I don't need to go on this trip after all. "Mama? Would you be able to look at my report card? It arrived not too long ago." I said, opening my bag and taking the corner of my report card. "Dani, baby, I'm sorry but I'm a bit busy right now. Maybe you could show me later." Mama gabbled, walking over to the tiny cupboard under the stairs. I paused. "Oh, okay." I mumbled, closing my bag again. "Sorry." Mama apologised, pulling out the dingy vacuum cleaner and plugging it into the power socket on the wall. Mama and Papa can really be a big let down to me sometimes. Aunty Gianna won't fail me though. Sometimes I wish I lived with Aunty Gianna. Life would probably be a lot more pleasant. "See you later then." I mumbled and rushed over to the front door. I feel extraordinarily guilty, lying to Mama but I want to see my beloved Aunty. She always makes me feel better, no matter what. I took one quick look at Mama before I closed the door. She's always busy nowadays. I shut the door quietly and walked out into the street.
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I really should have planned how long it would take to get to the Volterra Castle because now I have lost an hour to walking. I was exhausted by the time I reached the main entrance but at least a bitter cold wind wrapped itself around me and kept me nice and cool. I'm still sweating bucket loads. I really must look a sight. Taking a seat on the magnificent and exquisite fountain at the front of the old brick castle, I took a moment to think about how I would actually get in. Presuming the heavy front door was unlocked; I could always just wander in and ask someone if they knew where my Aunty Gianna is located. Someone must know where she is. While seated on the marble edge of the enormous fountain, I really pondered why Aunty Gianna warned me to stay away from this pretty place. It looked pretty casual to me. No one else is even around so what's Aunty Gianna so worried about?
I'm actually really excited! I mean, I'm finally getting to see inside the castle, after all these years of gazing up at the medieval castle, wondering what was on the inside. After dipping my hands in the cold water at the fountain, I felt refreshed and ready to head inside. I jumped up and clutching my bag to my hip, I jogged up the couple of thick stairs. At the top, I grabbed the large handle on the door to the right and pulled. It didn't budge. Maybe I'm not as strong as I thought. I tugged on the door again. The door didn't even budge an inch. Great! I walked all this way and the main doors are locked. I sighed. I feel fed up! I turned back around and walked down the steps, feeling defeated. Halfway down the steps, I stopped. I've got an idea! Maybe there is another door around the side that's open. I mean, it's such a large castle so surely there must be another entrance somewhere.
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Yes! I knew there would be another door! After trailing around the castle, just when I'd nearly given up, I had spotted a small wooden door at the edge of another corner. I jumped up and down with excitement. Gathering my wits, I breathed in and calmed myself. I looked around. I need to make sure no one sees me head inside. I might get into trouble for trespassing otherwise. Luck is on my side! No one's in sight. Just like I expected. The door looked so fragile, as if with one kick of my foot, it would crumble to the ground. I gingerly took hold the small silver knob and twisted, praying it wasn't locked. The door cracked open. I felt like squealing but I know I have to be very quiet. I don't want to be thrown out before I get the chance to visit my Aunty. I hesitantly stepped inside and being as quiet as possible, I gently shut the door.
It's terribly dark in here. I almost thought that no lights were on until my eyes had adjusted and I discovered flickering candles lining the cobwebbed walls. Straight ahead of me is a passageway that looks like a tunnel. It appeared to go on forever. It's also very, very cold in here. I wish I had thought to bring a jacket. I stepped forward one step, as if expecting an alarm to go off. I took another small step, still expecting to be caught red-handed. No alarm or flashing lights. Wow, today must really be my lucky day! I took a couple more steps just to be certain. Yep, I'm satisfied. I began to stroll through the passageway, eager to get to the end and find out what waiting to be discovered.
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Finally, after a while, I reached the end, only to look to the left and discover another passageway. I turned to the right and saw a passageway exactly the same as this one! I resisted the urge to huff and cross my arms. No one ever said finding my way through this mysterious castle was going to be an easy task. I decided to randomly choose the left passage. While I was walking past the numerous candles stuck to the walls, I thought about what the surprise could be when Aunty Gianna knew of my marks. Hopefully it would be that new Avril Lavigne CD I've been desperate for. I did ask Aunty Gianna for it when my fifteenth birthday rolls around in the next couple of months but maybe she'd cave in and give it to me early. Gosh, I'm excited! Suddenly, my thoughts were dragged from daydreaming about Aunty Gianna's gift, to the intimidating man Leo and I met in the alley so many days ago. Why on earth did he behave so weirdly and why would he be taking a stroll that late at night? Was he up to no good? Was he a rapist or a murderer? I was taken from my thoughts when I reached the end of this passageway. With my fingers crossed, I hoped to see something other than more passageways. I rolled my eyes and sighed when I saw more passageways on my left and right. I took the right.
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A shiver ran down my spine but it wasn't because of the chill in the air, it was because after wandering these passageways for so long, I finally found something new. Down on my left was a set of doors so big, I swear the giant from Jack and the Beanstalk would be able to glide through the doorway with ease. A small amount of bright light shone through a crack in the open doors and there were soft voices drifting through. I'm actually surprised I made it this far without anyone seeing. There isn't a single soul in sight but that doesn't really surprise me. If the doors were bolted shut at the main entrance, then Volterra Castle must be shut for today. Who else would be wandering around anyway? I crept forward, taking my sweet old time and being wary. That could be security behind those doors but then again, it could be Aunty Gianna talking to some people. I wouldn't know until I had a peep inside.
Halfway there, I heard a startled gasp and more gentle murmuring. A frown crept onto my face. Now I just had to know what was behind those massive doors! I hurried further up but stopped so suddenly in my footsteps, I nearly fell flat on my face. An agonised scream pierced the air so loudly, I cringed. I ran the rest of the way and slowed down when I was just behind the door. I tip toed as silently as I could and moved in front of the tiny crack and peered through. What I saw made my heart leap into my throat. A strangled cry escaped my mouth without warning and I stumbled back in shock, tripping over my feet. My backside landed on the icy, hard stone floor with a 'thud'.
Aunty Gianna's slender neck is pressed at an odd angle against a very tall and muscular man's mouth and she hung from his grip as limp as old lettuce. Her eyes had glazed over and she seemed to be staring directly into my horrified eyes, as if telling me to run, run as far away as I possibly can but I didn't even get time to register anything else in my mind before the large set of doors were opened as wide as they would go. The doors hit the wall with a small 'bang'. Multiple sets of menacing, burgundy eyes stared back at me with such intensity; I thought I would surely shrivel up and die under their frightening gaze. "Uh oh." I whispered.
A/N-Oh no! What's going to happen to Dani? Well, obviously I know since I'm the author of the story but it's a mystery to you, my marvellous readers! Thank you very much for taking the time out of your day to read my chapter and I really hope that you liked what you read. I certainly enjoyed writing this chapter! If you don't mind, would you please leave me a little review? I mean, that's if you want to but I'm very eager to see what my readers think. I just would like to know if you like what you read in this chapter, that's all. Anyway, Thursday, April 25th (Anzac day) is a day off for me so I'll dedicate that day to my writing and you will get one or more updates! Yay! Thank you once again and please, if you want to, just leave a little review. That would be fantastic! Alright, farewell and have a good day!
-Unicorn360.
