Welcome to Chapter 4!

"Why didn't I see it before?" I felt abashed and even slightly embarrassed as I un- hooked the key of the window handle. I noticed each key had different marking, size and groove a few of the shapes even looked vaguely familiar as I fumbled with the bronze keys trying to insert them into the box. Eventually after what had seemed like an age I picked up the second smallest key which had a small and intricate pattern of stars arranged around the centre of the key in a triangle formation and inserted it into the lock.

With shaking hands I peered slowly into the small safety deposit box. I gasped; inside the box was a small black pistol accompanied with several bullets, a memory stick and an envelope address to Jessie. A lumped formed in the back of my throat as I tried to gulp down the rising emotion in me, only my parents ever called me Jessie, and right now they could be in serious danger. I stared down at the contents of the box contemplating why my father had left me this before making my decision. I had to help them, I have to do something to protect them just as they had been protecting me from this all these years, because if they like it or not I was a part of this now and I was not going down without a fight. Besides my parents must need me otherwise they wouldn't have left this box and taken off so suddenly.

I scanned the now familiar items before I cautiously picked up the gun and clicked the revolver pushing in the bullets. My hands were surprisingly steady for someone who had only held a gun twice in their entire life; once when my dad took me to target practice which considering my lack of sporting ability went well and now as I placed the gun behind my shirt for safe-keeping.

I carefully placed the memory stick in my pocket, making a mental note to find a USB holder as soon as possible before opening the wad of envelope labelled Jessie. Inside as clear as day were the folded up pieces of paper I had discovered in my mother's jewellery chest almost 10 years ago. Cautiously reading and tracing the fluid indentations on the paper of where the pen had parted with its fine companion, where the words:

"Throughout my time in this locked up prison shelter I have developed a deeper and a more profound sense of understanding of my "situation". Being guarded and kept under watch constantly like an angry bee buzzing around waiting to insert that final deadly sting which would end their time in this world. I'm passed the hope of faith, anger and frustration has evaded me, even derangement has not settled in yet, all that is left is love and the bitter pain of which I will never again see my wondrous Amanda. To see her laugh in joy at the sight of Sammy, to hear her soft whispers of dreams I will never see fulfilled, to mend her broken smile… I only dream that one day she will know I loved her and Kara, I always will. Every time I close my eyes I see them holding hands, laughing, singing and it kills me inside, a broken shard of glass that slowly delves further into my flesh that I will never be a part of it, I will never see her grow up with her mother, with her family.

Sometimes I see Kara in Amanda, not the physcotic patient of metal health everyone sees but my Kara, my wife, the girl with the two plait's and the Sunny smile so infectious it's impossible to not smile back, the Kara I fell in love with. If only I had the chance to tell her how sorry I am, to both of them, I would give my soul to hold my daughter one last time. But ever since I met the Grayson's and the initiative for that matter, when I uncovered their secrets I knew the double infinity would play a bigger role in this … they may have framed me and took away everything I love, they may have dragged Amanda away from me and thrown me into this pit but their journey is not over yet, it never stops."

Tears silently dripped onto the page as I read these painful words of a man who had lost everything. He had truly experienced devastation and pain, my soul ached as I yearn to know of what became of him yet I am afraid. Afraid of what I may find if I look deeper into this, why is he connected with the initiative? Who are the Grayson's? Who is this mysterious man and do I have a sister? The last question issued a fresh sense of shock as I contemplated what this meant. A daring and fearful plan was starting to form in my mind, but first things first's I had to get out of here.

I took a deep breath, and began to get up, when I looked into the box one last time to see a tiny screwed up piece of paper no bigger than a skittle. Carefully opening it up making sure not to rip it was another note from dad, this time it was longer…. Three sentences (he's not a man of many words anyway) "I'm sorry for what's about to happen. Use the gun and information sparingly, trust no one-leave NOW. P.S. Look in cupboard x." My heart thumping in my chest, being wiser this time I took the keys and opened the cupboard underneath the window seat. This time the key was rounder and had rings woven onto the handles. An old purple Starkid Comic-Con backpack was stashed under their, accompanied with a small rope ladder which is often found in gym class used for footwork.

BANG! I jumped ten feet in the air, they were coming for me! A thousand year old sense of dread and utter panic hurtled through me. With no time to breath, yet alone think, acting on instinct alone I swung open the circular window and threw the ladder down latching it onto the window frame. Hoisting the bag onto my shoulders and throwing the necklace of keys around me and chucked the small safety deposit box in the cupboard and kicked the door shut before pulling myself up over the window and descending the ladder.

I had no time to test if the ladders held my weight as I slowly travelled down the ladder pushing the window shut just in time before I heard the familiar creek of the stairs coming up towards the attic. Halfway down, part of the handle that was latched onto the windows snapped, (typical, I know) I bit my lips to hid my scream as I was swung down over the dense trees that hid the window from sight. I looked up to see the other handle starting to snap, was I really that heavy, I mused? Hurrying up, I got nearer to the ground and decided to jump the rest of the way, just in time as my feet touched the soil mixed with sand from the near beach, the ladder gave way and plummeted to earth. I caught it and tossed it into the trees to be hidden in the thick foliage.

The Window swung open, CRAP I thought as I darted around the house and pushed open what remained of the gate, it had seemed they had entered through the back gate but had missed the window. Broken stained glass window littered the pebbled path. I had to run before they realise someone's here… I ran faster to the beginning of the driveway as perspiration started to form along my forehead. I began to limp as my injured foot had started to burn again, a quick glance down and it was bleeding again- great.

My Car! As I hobbled over to my car across the pebbled path, ducking down beneath the windows I desperately patted down myself trying to locate my keys? Where are they, as I got more frantic, I could not have left them inside, not now, not when I NEED them. KEYS!? I picked them up surely not? Lo and behold dad had thought of everything, was the biggest bronze key that was slightly bulkier than the rest. I squatted next to my car and inserted the key into the handle, a swoosh noise, and then the car was open. I threw myself into the car and dumped the bag onto the seat.

Shoes, I need shoes, my hand went to the back of my seat to a little a pouch which thankfully contained my beach flip flops. A little relief escaped me as I placed them on my now dirty, bloodied & bruised feet and inserted the key into the ignition. The engine roared with life.

As I glanced up, little did I know for the last time on my childhood home, my eyes lingered over the pebbled path which led to the alcove doorway. The faded green door with it round brass handle surrounded by wide French windows where entangled with primroses and baby purple orchids. The sweet smell of spring still sauntered in the breeze, this image froze in my head as I watched my home go up in flames.

Thanks for Reading it means a lot, please review and remember to smile, live, love, laugh