AN: So I don't usually do this at the start of chapters but I would like to clear up something before you read it. This character is Australian, please keep in mind that flip flops or jandals are referred to as thongs in Australia. Any other terminology issues please let me know.
Also a huge thank you to those following, favouriting and reviewing :)
The sounds of car tyres against gravel travelled into my house through the open kitchen window. Flywire covered the opening, keeping the noisy blowflies outside where they belong. I looked up from the book I had been reading just in time to witness Jackyboy, my faithful blue heeler, tear through the kitchen and dive through his doggy door. Moments later his distinctive yapping could be heard, the usual greeting for guests I suppose.
Inserting my bookmark into the dreary book and placing it on the table, making a mental note to take the dully written work of fiction to the salvo's when I was done, I made my way out of the kitchen and towards my front door.
Tippy, my old Golden retriever, groaned in annoyance as I stepped past her head, obviously Jackyboy had disturbed her afternoon nap. "Some guard dog you are," I scoffed at the dog nudging her playfully with my foot as I went past, slipping my thongs on.
Opening the front door I was greeted with a pleasant surprise. I smirked at the bright red Jeep Wrangler, "Do you guys think this is a holiday inn or something?" I shouted across the empty yard. Jackyboy was rushing over to the car, his tail threatening to fly off, he was wagging it that hard.
"Holiday?" Peter scoffed, "every time we come out here you give us more work then what we have at home."
"Well imagine how much work I'm doing when you guys aren't visiting," I smirked at the man as he pulled out his daughter's small suitcase.
"Aunty Maria!" The little four year old squealed when her mother placed her on the ground. I smiled warmly scooping the tiny girl up into my arms and holding her in a tight embrace, whilst simultaneously trying to keep Jackyboy at bay.
"What do you feed that dog?" That all too familiar voice called out to me. "Come on Laura, help your dad carry your bag inside." Jessica scolded her daughter. I smiled smugly at the tall blonde as she approached the verandah I was currently standing on.
"Tired of the city again are we?" Jessica rolled her eyes at me.
"We can't all live in the country, can we?" I smiled and ushered the family into my, for once, tidy house.
"Oh my god!" Jessica exclaimed in mock horror, "call the police, all your stuff is missing."
"Laura, your mother is mean, you know that right." Laura giggled cheekily, nodding in response, earning herself a light tap across the back of her head,
"You go put your stuff away," Jessica smiled at her daughter. "C'mon Maria, lets go for a quick walk."
After a quick change of footwear, since thongs were hardly appropriate for walking through a farm, Jessica and I were slowly making our way over to the horse shed. "Maria?"
"Yes"
"When was the last time you had a holiday?" Jessica asked. I thought for a brief second and opened my mouth to respond. "I don't just mean from the veterinary clinic." Jessica cut me off.
I sighed, "Not since I bought this place four years ago," I admitted gruffly. I didn't mind working all the time, I enjoyed spending most of my time outside, grooming horses or tending to my cattle. I've always wanted to dedicate my life to animals and now I have. Jessica on the other hand worried about the amount of time I spent working.
"I think you should come away with me in August. Just you and me, I've saved up enough to go to America for a month and I want you to join me and..."
"Jessica, you know I can't afford it."
"Let me finish, I've also saved up enough to take you with me." I smiled warmly at my friend shaking my head, I couldn't accept her hard earn cash. "It'll be my early birthday present to you and my payment for teaching Laura to ride." Jessica smiled at me.
I thought for a second, the offer was very tempting but… "who would take care of the farm?" I asked. Jessica grinned, I knew in her eyes that was close enough to a yes.
"Peter can, he's already got that time off. I've also talked to your brother and he said that he could help him out since he's out for the rest of the season." I chewed my lip thoughtfully.
Those two were pretty capable, and I did like the idea of traveling over seas for the first time in my life. "Alright Jess," I sighed feigning defeat. "If I must."
Jessica slapped my shoulder playfully, "Don't be so dramatic, it'll be fun." I grinned back at the golden haired woman and I couldn't help but feel as though I was the most fortunate person in the whole world to have found such a great friend.
"It'll be fun she said," I muttered darkly to myself, wriggling my arms around to see if i could loosen my bonds. Sadness twanged through me momentarily as the memories of all I had lost played through my mind. I had been left alone after Hershal had tended to my wounds. Maggie had left with him, though I doubted she was far from the wooden door that stood between me and freedom. I sighed and stopped squirming, the ropes had been tied well, unfortunately. Pushing myself up into a sitting position against the bed head, I assessed my situation.
I was tied up well, meaning the only way out of the rope was to cut it. Obviously I had been searched and stripped of my weapons. Although…. I pressed the outside of my left foot against the bed. I almost shouted in triumph when I felt the small wooden pocket knife pressing against my skin. They mustn't have searched my shoes and socks, morons.
Sitting back up properly, I looked around. To the left of me there was an averaged sized window, definitely big enough to crawl out of, though by the looks of it I wasn't on the first floor of the building. I chewed my lip thoughtfully, my ankle couldn't really take another long drop like that, I'd need to think of another way.
Just as I was contemplating getting up and exploring my 'holding cell' I heard the door across from me open. A man, probably in his mid to late thirties walked into the room purposefully. He had a very serious expression plastered across his face and I quickly recognise him as the man who had pointed his gun at me.
His brown hair was unruly and his face seemed to be smeared with dirt and sweat. Despite his messy and unkempt appearance a sense of authority seemed to waft off him. This would be the leader then, I thought, preparing myself for whatever was about to come. His eyes swept around the room quickly before he locked his gaze onto mine, so this was how it was going to be then huh? Accepting his unspoken challenge I stared back defiantly, I would not be perceived as weak nor would I be perceived as cowardly, if he thought I was either then he might try to take advantage of that.
I had the sudden urge to poke my tongue out at him and I quickly locked my inner child away in an imaginary box, now was not the time. The leader seemed content with our 'staring contest' and moved towards the end of the bed, just out of reach of my legs I noted. "Who are you?" He asked.
I considered him for a second and deciding it would be in my best interest to cooperate (for now) I answered. "Maria." I looked back at my captor coldly.
"Well Maria," the man paused for a moment, again locking his gaze on mine, "Hershal tells me that you were part of a group, until recently." I would not show weakness.
I kept my expression blank, "that's correct."
He considered me for a moment, "are they dangerous?" I thought for a second, choosing my words carefully, not wishing to cause this situation to become any worse.
"That depends."
"on?"
"How many people are in the group now and how well trained your own people are." He thought over my answer.
"How many in this group?"
"Before I was separated there were nine men in total, but the last time I saw them I only counted five."
"how many women?"
I scoffed at his question, earning myself an odd look. "I'm not sure, I was… kept separate from the other women, I was a 'bad influence' on them," I smirked, I had to admit that I prided myself on being a nuisance to terrible people.
"What makes them dangerous?"
"They believe solely in survival of the fittest, they don't care whether other people suffer and they certainly do not hold any strong morals." I stated calmly. He nodded thoughtfully and without another word turned and strode out of the room. What an odd man.
Once again finding myself alone I decided to explore the room. Awkwardly wiggling off of the bed i limped over to the window and peered out of it. The window sill was fairly large and made of bricks, as was all of the outside walls. Just above the window i could see the protruding gutter, which despite months of neglect seemed to be fairly well intact.
Making my way back towards the bed I noticed that the top sheets were not tucked in properly and hung all the way down to the floor. getting down onto my knees, I pushed the light sheets aside with my head and peered underneath the bed. There was just enough room for me to wiggle underneath. Perfect, an impish grin found it's way onto my face. Now all I had to do is wait.
When night fell I heard the creaking of footsteps as everybody simultaneously left the place they had been eating their tea. I had listened to the sound of footsteps just past my doorway, and it seemed as though the person on watch was pacing. A few hours after everyone had apparently gone to sleep, a new set of footsteps approached. There was a brief period of silence followed by the sound of two people walking in the opposite direction. One seemingly exited this floor and went down a creaky set of stairs whilst the other walked past my door and stopped not too far away.
Most likely their was a hallway connecting rooms and the person on watch had decided to sit at the end of it. Considering I was unarmed and they would most likely have a gun, it seemed to be a better option than being near the door and allowing me to have a chance, even if it was minuscule.
Deciding now was as good a time as any and leaned my hands behind me contorting my body awkwardly so as to reach the hidden pocket knife in my shoe. thank god for yoga, I thought as I managed to wiggle my fingers into the boot and pull out the little knife. propping myself up against the bed head, incase some one decided to check on me, I awkwardly twisted my hand back and began sawing into the thick rope.
This always seems so simple in the movies, I thought ruefully. Finally feeling the rope loosen around my wrists i pulled it off and continued on with the rest of my plan. Throwing the broken rope carelessly on the bedroom floor, halfway between the window and the bed, I crept silently across the floorboard, waiting for something to give me away, a creak or a coughing fit, that would be my luck.
Reaching the window I lifted my right leg and kicked as hard as I could against the glass. It took another go before the window pane gave out and as soon as it did I dove under the bed and waited, hoping that this would work. Seconds later the bedroom door flew open and the sound of rushing footsteps flew towards the window. "shit, " an unfamiliar voice cursed, most likely as he looked through the broken window. A smile found it's way onto my face as the sounds of chaos ensued.