Chapter 25: Mom?

(Wanda's POV)

'…c'mon sweetie…time to wake up, we're here…'

I felt a hand on my shoulder as I open my eyes slightly … all I could see was that face…her face – the one I thought I'd never see again up close …now she moved as if she were really here.

'c'mon sleepy head, time to get you inside.' She leaned in towards me and put her arms under and around my limp body, I could smell the same perfume that I now only dream about. Her arms were holding me…I could really feel her.

'but moooom…' I whined. But surely these aren't the words I would have chosen…

All too soon I lost the image of the one person I wanted to see most. Her speech became garbled sounds, the rose perfume left my head – only replaced by black fuzziness. I tried everything, but I couldn't bring her back…it was like losing her all over again.

Before I opened my eyes to the real world I tried to remember why I was asleep in the first place…wasn't I just in class?

I mentally checked down my body, wiggling my fingers and toes – I winced. Shit, I was on my way to the nurse…I was in Chemistry…the acid. I felt light headed all over again. Had someone taken me home or was I still in the nurse's office?

I could see no harsh florescent light shining on my eyelids so I must be somewhere dark…home, I must just be at home.

For the first time since I stirred I squinted open my eyes – I kept still, looking straight up at the ceiling until my eyes adjusted to the dark. Surely the ceiling is too tall to be my room?

I could see lines cracking through the structure of the building I was in…it looked like the ceiling could cave in at any minute…oh god, where the hell am I!?

I wanted to get up to see where I was, but a protective instinct in my brain kicked in and told me to stay still. That's when I heard it, the faint whispering, footsteps far away. I wasn't alone here…oh god, where the hell am I?! Who is that?!.

'…she isn't supposed to be out for this long…' whoever it was sounded stressed and worried almost, are they talking to another person? I tried to regulate my breathing so it would look like I was still sleeping, still oblivious to where I was.

The footfalls became louder, the mumbling clearer, as whoever was with me moved closer. My kidnapper? Oh god, have I really been kidnapped? This can't be happening! I must still be dreaming…

'c'mon Wanda this isn't how it's supposed to go…' It was the voice of a man...or boy due to the cracking in his voice…I swear I had heard that voice before…

Before I could think further I felt him lean down beside me…my heart rate increased but I tried to not let it affect my breathing pattern.

'wake up Wanda…' I could feel his breath on my cheek, 'I need to know that you're okay…' but why? YOU KIDNAPPED ME!

His hands smoothed the cover over me and pulled the single sheet up to my chin, he was cooing as though tending to a small child…maybe that's what he wants me to be…oh god, I've been kidnapped by a crazy person.

And then it clicked.

The voice. The protectiveness. Who else would want to be with me as bad as this? It had to be him. Oh god…

Burns' face came closer to me; the smell of his cologne filled my nostrils as his lips touched mine. No no no. I lay lifeless as he kissed me… as though he was Prince Phillip to my Sleeping Beauty.

He sighed as he leaned away, bile rose to the back of my throat as I felt the moisture left on my lips. 'I can't wait for our real first kiss…' He whispered… never. Burn's leaned down again to kiss my forehead before he stood up.

The footfalls became quieter and I finally heard him pull open, what sounded like, a heavy metal door. With a grunt he closed it behind him. What if that's the only way out?

Oh god, I'm trapped with a crazy guy. What's he going to do to me?!

Stop it Wanda…you need to think. My mom's voice was in my head, soothing and calm, just as I remember it.

My brain was at war with itself, the smart, calculating side trying to take over in the sound of my mother. I breathed deeply, clearing the panic from my head, I pictured her in my mind so she's with me…she can help me.

Number 1: Find out where you are. I managed to remember the points of a survival leaflet I read once in a Doctor's office on 'what to do if you've been taken'. I sent a silent thank you to whoever puts those stupid leaflets in the waiting room.

I opened my eyes fully to the darkness, letting them adjust a second time. The old ceiling came into view, the cracks slightly clearer this time with my eyes open wide. Turning my head slowly, in case Burn's hadn't really left, I took in the rest of the room…wide, empty space.

Burn's was nowhere to be seen; I let out a sigh of relief as I started to sit up. It took a couple of tries to stand - getting used to the pain in my foot when I put weight on it again.

Use the pillows to make it look like I'm still asleep. I had seen Mel do this plenty of times when she used to sneak out late at night…thank god she misbehaved. There were a couple of lanterns lit around where I was sleeping, without moving them too much I turned them down so they only emitted a low glow. He might not notice right?

Number 2: Find an Exit / Main Road

Exit first. I could just make out the different shade of black that was the metal door on the far side of the room, other than that there were a couple of high-up windows that were covered in grime. Shit. There isn't even another exit!?

I started panicking again. What am I supposed to do?! I can't go through that metal door in case Burns is out there‼ I probably couldn't even open it‼

No, I can't do this now. I can't freak out. I'll do that later. I pictured my mom and took a couple of deep breaths.

I started walking towards the wall to the left of the room, my shoes clattering on the floor…take them off - if Burns comes in he might not notice I'm up if I can just stay silent…

With shoes in hand I traced along the left wall, leading to the metal door, until I finally found an archway, the hole looked just as black as the wall…I couldn't see it at all. Hopefully Burn's hasn't seen it either.

The archway just led to another room, slightly smellier, slightly dirtier, but around the same size. Definitely one that has been used way less than the first.

I decided to move along the wall again, less chance of me bumping into anything or stepping on something uncomfortable with my socked-feet.

The good thing is is that, if anything, my injured foot feels better without rubbing against my shoe…

My breathing remained slow and steady, and for that I was thankful. I've seen enough horror movies of Mel's to know that the bad guy always listens for you breathing…is Burn's the bad guy in all this? Or does he just need help too?

Get out first. Questions later. I used this as a mantra in my mom's voice as I moved around the side of the room. Trying to distract myself by thinking of anything other than this situation.

Halfway around the room I started to feel a metal handrail – it felt rusty and flecks of old paint were peeling off into my hand…don't think about the dirt, just get out. The handrail was to a set of stairs…should I go up? Will there be an exit up there? Surely they should have a fire escape in case of emergencies, right?

I judged the first step and found it surprisingly sturdy, it didn't creak, nor did it bend or break. At least it would get me even further away from Burns…I hadn't seen the stairs so why would he even think there were any? Finally, my luck was beginning to change.

Although it felt safe enough I still eased my body weight onto each step slowly…not wanting to rush anything and cause any noise…or worse, falling to the floor and becoming unconscious again.

The last step creaked a little so I hopped to the top quickly…I hadn't heard the metal door open again so hopefully the creak couldn't have been heard from outside. I had to keep moving anyway…no time to dwell on it now.

As I ran my fingers along the wall again I noticed my hands getting sticky with a black glue-like goo. Gross gross gross. I smeared my hand across the wall to see why it was there and light suddenly blinded me – I tried not to make a sound as I quickly spread the thick black grime back over the patch I had removed and let my eyes focus again.

It must be windows, WINDOWS!

I crouched and smeared the wall, right by the floor, and again light shone through the small fingertip-sized hole I had made. It must be a whole wall of tall windows to let light through into the building.

I was practically lying on the floor to peer through the small hole; it looked like there was a ledge outside, not big, probably only a couple of feet wide but it'd have to do…now I just need to find a way onto it.

I continued to walk along the wall of windows with my fingertips lightly grazing the glass. I could now feel the creases between the window frames, but no handle or any way of getting them open…don't lose hope now.

I walked to the end of the room, almost walking straight into something poking out of the wall at waist level. I crouched to inspect it further, wiping off most of the dusty grime with the bottom of my shirt I could see what looked like a latch…pull it up, just like a balcony door.

It took most of what was left of my strength to just pull that stupid latch up, but at least this is a way out.

I sat for a moment, leaning against the windows to catch my breath and rest my arm muscles…I'll need all my strength just to get the door open, let alone climb down a fire escape…if there is one.

I heard struggling from the first room…oh god, Burns is coming in. I shot up and heaved the balcony door. It wouldn't move. Not even an inch.

'…still not awake…' I could barely make out the words but it was definitely Burns, and he was definitely back inside. Please don't check on me on the mat and see I've left. Please please please.

I couldn't take the chance that he wouldn't for very long, I had to get out and it had to be now. I pulled and pulled on the door. Still nothing. My hands were starting to hurt from pulling so hard. My breathing was starting to get heavy.

Calm down Wanda…breathe. I'll get out of here. What can I use to open the door? Is this even the right way to open the door?

I started to inspect the handle again, maybe there's something I'm missing? I felt a second handle that mirrored the first with another latch. Idiot, both sides need to be open.

Sighing to myself I lifted the second latch, which seemed harder than the first but at least it moved.

Crouching down to the floor I covered my mouth with my hand to listen for Burns' footsteps…still distant. I haven't heard any shouting, so he must think I'm still there right?

I remained crouching, trying to think of a plan…what if there was no fire escape out there? Opening the doors with surely light up the room…what if Burns see's and comes to investigate?

10 seconds. In 10 seconds I will stand, open the doors, get outside, shut the doors.

Okay. I pulled one of the handles slightly and heard a faint click…at least they'll open this time. I may as well put my shoes back on too…the burn on my foot started to hurt more than ever…

10…9…8…7…6…I could hear Burns' footsteps coming closer to the archway…5…4…3…2… 'Wanda?' …1 NOW.

My shoes clanged on the metal flooring, like I thought they would, but it didn't matter – I flung myself towards the doors, ignoring the pain that putting all of my weight on my foot caused. I caught onto the handles of the door and heaved.

'WANDA?'

Light filled the room, but it was too late to do anything about that now, I leapt out onto a sizeable balcony and spun to close the doors before the light stung my eyes.

Sunlight had filled the entire room, showing battered desks and paperwork all over the floor…it also showed the archway to the first room…as I pushed the doors closed I saw a flash of ginger hair.

Don't stop, find a way down. You can do this Wanda.

But I did better than that…poking out of the old rusted door was a key…yes!

I pushed down the latches on both sides as quickly as I could and turned the key. As it clicked into place the top snapped into my hand, I looked down to see the jagged edge and kept it in my hand…if he catches up to me I might need to use something against him…

I breathed heavily as I searched the balcony for a fire escape, not caring about how much noise I made now that he knew I was out.

'AAAAHHHHHHH'

I heard Burns shouting inside, clearly finding the pillows I used to resemble me sleeping – for the first time since I woke a smile spread across my lips…I had fooled him.

Finally I found a small, but usable, metal ladder attached to the buildings wall, about two feet away from the balcony ledge.

I didn't let myself think about the two-story drop down to the ground, I didn't have time to think.

I lifted myself up and twisted my legs over the ledge so I was sitting on the balcony's barrier – with arms outstretched my fingertips grabbed onto the side of the ladder.

I secured one foot on the closest step and pulled myself onto the fire escape.

Don't look down. Don't look down.

My foot fell in the open air about half way down the building…shit, the ladder isn't extended to the floor…

I heard a metal creak in the distance which could only be the door opening on the other side of the building…I'm going to have to jump…oh god.

I landed on my injured foot and cried out in pain. Twisted ankle…must be at least.

Crap.

I heard another creak in the distance and decided that my ankle can wait…at least it's not broken…I hope.

Ignoring the pain I started running…if you could call it running, more of a hopping-jog, but at least I'm moving.

I positioned the broken key in between my knuckles, with the jagged part poking out, so if I needed to defend myself it might at least give me an extra few minutes…

The pain was becoming unbearable as I tried to run, I was slowing even though I pushed harder and harder. I tried not to panic but I couldn't help it…he's going to catch me again.

Just run. Don't think about him. Run. At least my mom was still with me. I pictured her, gliding like a ghost beside me…I looked into her eyes and she smiled.

'WANDA?! COME HERE FOR GODS SAKE'

My mom was soon replaced with Burns; he was running towards me…he wasn't even slowing down. I realised at the last second what he was going to do, but it was too late, he had already tackled me to the floor – causing pain to shoot through my foot, up my side and back…

'STOP STRUGGLING'

He had my arms pinned…but if I could just wriggle one free…he hadn't noticed the key.

I tried to distract him by thrashing my legs under him, he was slightly off balance so it was simple to make him topple over.

I swiped the back of my hand across his face and felt a splash on my face…I've cut him…god, I actually did it.

The next few seconds seemed to pass in slow motion – Burns fell to one side, hands letting me go to clutch at his face, screaming in pain.

I slipped out from under him…pushing him back so he was lying down on the floor.

I stood, took one look at the damage I'd done and ran again…the pain in my foot, side and back seemed to dull. My head filled with his screaming as I pushed forward, not knowing which direction to take…any direction away from that warehouse is good enough.

The sight of the jagged cut from his right eye down to his chin was burned into my vision…I started to feel nauseous at the site. I could smell the blood that had splashed down onto my cheeks, like old pennies.

I wiped at my face as I started to run uphill, the blood, now smeared on my hands, looked even worse than I thought. My head started to fuzz…keep going my Wandarer…my mom was back…in my head at least.

I finally reached the top of the hill and sat down, feeling the last of whatever strength I had left leave my aching body.

The sun was setting over the green fields that looked so familiar…This is a good place to go. My mom was sitting next to me…an arm around my shoulder. My vision became black around the edges as I laid my head down onto my mothers lap…this was a good way to go.

I watched the sun set and waiting for the moon to glow in the sky before finally closing my eyes in the darkness.

… 'Wanda?' I heard my name in the distance but it was too late to try to answer or hide from my kidnapper…I had already surrendered my fight with consciousness…I knew Burns would take me again, but now the only thing I cared about was sleep.

(A/n: I know this chapter has taken a while, but I hope it was worth it for you! Thank you so much for the reviews and comments, it means so much that people enjoy reading this little story!)