AN- Well I've typed and typed for a while now and I think that I have enough for a new chapter and I think that this one reveals quite a bit of information.

HTFan- There is some hope, Flaky is in the hands of a writer who has something up their sleeve (this would be more effective if I was wearing long sleeves while writing this...oh well, I think you know what I mean.) And there aren't that many chapters left, I don't think.

StariChanx- Don't worry about the cat, it was just a figurine! And you will be getting some back story soon, and prepare for more pain, as my cliff-hangers have struck again!

ashdash2417- To be honest, at least the ants where defending themselves...

Chapter 20

"How did you like breakfast?" Flaky heard Lammy chuckling outside the locked basement door. Nearly an hour had passed since she'd discovered the dead canary. She'd placed it, plate and all, in a bin she'd found in the corner of the basement.

"Come on Flaky," the gloating voice called again. "Talk to your sister. I can't decide what to fix you for lunch. Maybe you can give me some ideas. You must be getting hungry." The sound of Lammy's laughter drifted down the stairs.

"Answer me Flaky." Lammy's voice had gotten meaner. "Tell me what you want for lunch. Unless you want me to use my imagination."

Sitting in a corner of the basement, Flaky rested her head in her hands. She wished Lammy would just go away and leave her alone.

"Flaky!" Lammy screeched. When there was no reply, she kicked the door hard. Then Flaky heard the sound of footsteps clumping angrily away. Funny how Lammy's footsteps are so loud and clumsy, yet when she wants to, she can glide across the floor without making a sound, she thought.

Well, she left me alone, so I got my wish, I suppose, Flaky thought to herself. Giving in to despair wouldn't do anything for her. She had to keep calm, keep thinking clearly, and figure a way out of this.

A grim smile spread across her face. Why am I kidding myself? There's no way out of here. The basement windows are boarded shut. The only way to get free is to get past the mainiac who wants to kill me. It's impossible.

Don't believe it, whispered a small, faint voice in her head. Flaky sighed. Okay, she wouldn't give up, or believe that it was impossible to get out of here. But first she had to find a way to calm down, to quiet the terror that screamed inside and threatened to destroy her sanity.

Resolutely, Flaky rose to her feet and began walking around the basement. Thre wasn't much there but junk. No basement tool shop that might have contained something to use against Lammy.

No gardening tools were stored down here, either.

As she walked, it occurred to her that Lammy might have been planning this for days. It would have taken time to clear out anything that could be used as a weapon. After her third ciruit of the basement, Flaky was convinced that Lammy had done just that.

Nothing had been left to chance.

Wearily, she sat down again. Lying on the floor next to her was a roll of paper, the kind used to line drawers and shelves. She picked it up and tore off a piece. Digging into her pocket, she fished out a pen and began to scribble on it, doodling absently. If only I could draw an open window and climb through it she thought, like a cartoon.

Soon the doodles became more intricate designs. Gradually, she felt excitement building. Then it was as if a switch and been thrown and light had flooded her mind.

Hurridly she made a few more marks on the paper. Then she jumped to her feet.

There was a pile of old newspapers in one corner of the basement. She grabbed several of them and placed them at her feet. Then she started to really draw.

First she sketched the bin and pile of newspapers in one corner. Then she tried something different. A self-portait from memory.

Time flew by as Flaky drew. She forgot her bruises and her hunger in her excitement. Even when hours later Lammy stood screaming outside the basement door, she didn't hear her. She was totaly consumed by what she was doing. She didn't know how long she kept making drawings, but when she finaly stopped, there was a pile of them strewn around her on the basement floor.

Flaky flexed her right hand. it ached from holding the pen, which was begining to run out of ink. Her legs were getting stiff. Slowly, she got to her feet and flexed her ankles several times to get the blood flowing through them again.

Suddenly, something in one of the corners caught her eye. It was some kind of sack, stuffed behind some broken woodern chairs.

The corner was so dark that she could hardly make out the shape of it. Flaky stared at it, her brain begining to tingle.

She stuck her hand in the sack and pulled out a purse. Her hand hamering and her fingers trembling, she began examining the contents.

Her chest fairly exploded as she pulled out an ID card with her picture on it.

Flaky Quills

Oakwood College.

Quills, she repeated to herself. It had just dawned on her that Lammy had never given her a last name. Her whole body was shaking as she took out more things from the purse. There was a driver's licence, a library card and a membership card to the Jump! Sports Club.

There were pictures in the sack too. Mainly shots of her, at what she presumed to be the sports club. Flaky clutched the sack tightly in her hand. While having visions of her at the game, that big football match.

Winning the cup.

Having that team photo taken.

I remember.

The visions of her playing sport vanished, and another vision flashed in her mind.

She saw herself standing outside with Lammy. They were children. Both of them were laughing. Another little girl ran up to them, and in her mind's eye she could see Lammy's expression of anger. Lammy began screaming at that little girl, who ran away, crying. Then Lammy had chased ofter Flaky. There was a rock in her hand...

The scene faded, and Flaky felt a shudder run through her body. I remeber that day, Lammy, she said to herself. The other little girl's name was Petunia, and she wanted to play with us. But you didn't like other kids playing with us. It made you angry. And when I wanted the other kids to play it made you very angry.

They thought you'd outgrow it, but you didn't. When you got older you kept getting angrier and angrier, and more and more jealous of anyone I wanted for a friend. You started taking it out on me, and you didn't just scream... you hit.

Finaly we had to be kept apart.

Then a flash of understanding blazed through her. It filled her with dread. It's true what Cuddles said about you, Lammy. You're crazy. She whispered to herself. Flaky clenched her hands in her lap as the thought finished.

And you're not my sister.