Chapter 9
Kay's POV
Aunt Ashley says we're playing hide & seek. Daddy's it. But he drove away. I'm done playing...I want Aunt Ashley...she's nice and not so confusing. When I said my name is Katerina she said okay and called me that. I climb out of the toybox and walk tot he house. Daddy's care is gone. Teh door to my room is shut. There's banging on the door...and crying. "Help! Someone please help me!" I see a key on the table. I pick up the key and go to the door.
"A...au...Aunt Ashley...stop crying!" I say and put the key in the lock. "You're making me cry!" I say...I'm starting to cry. After twisting the key until the dor unlocks Aunt Ashley runs out and swoops me in her arms.
"Katerina, we need to talk but first we need to escaped." Her face is full of terror. I nod. She holds me and we run into the woods. We find a bush next to an old tree. We hide there. She starts whispering quickly.
"Katerina there is a lot I have to tell you in only a little bit of time, it may be too much for a little girl to understand but I have to try." I hold up three fingers.
"I'm two," I say.
"Yes you are. Okay first your real name is Kay. Your daddy is a very bad man who lied to you. Your mommy wanted him to visit you but he didn't want to. Then he kidnapped your mommy, you, and me and brought us here. He brainwashed you into believing that your momy was bad but she's not! He is...Kay...he killed your mommy." She sighs. I sit on my butt and fold my arounds around me. Mommy's dead...Kay...not Katerina...daddy bad...no. I start to cry. Ashley holds me close. We hear a car door slam. I stop crying. He stomps into the house...it's silent...howls in anger. Ashley squeezes me tight. She stays still...we're quiet. We're waiting...
Craig's POV
I walk into the house humming a little tune. I have a bag of donuts for Ashley. She must be starving what with crying and screaming and being afraid. But Katerina oh my Katerina...where are you my pretty girl? My girl... Ashley's having a baby. She'll have it here and then I'll get her. Make her hurt and suffer. Manny is dead...daed...I killed her. I chuckle. She thought she could win...she was wrong. I buried her near her home and left a grave marker.
Manuela Manny Santos
Beautiful Woman
Loving Mother
Manny, you were great ;)
I cut it out of some wood I bought and written it with a permanent marker. But not before sanding it smooth. In a few days her mother should find it. I walk towards the room. The door is open, the key is on the floor...shes gone! How could she escape? How? No...no! I'll find her...I scream angrily.
Ashley's POV
I can feel Kay's heartbeat against my own rapid one. I take short, shallow breaths and feel sweat coming down my forhead. I'm scared. He'll find us. He just can't. Kay doesn't move an inch and has quieted her breathing. She's a brave girl. I squeeze her. Craig runs into the woods. I can hear him...feel him. I can feel his anger. He's looking and if he finds us we're going to sufffer...we're going to die. No! I have to protect Kay...for Manny. Manny died protecting her...and me...so must I! Somethings are too complicated to explain. The feeling that rushes through me when Craig walks the opposite direction is one of those feelings. We are safe...for a little bit longer.
