“Hey are you crazy?” I ask Hannah as she starts to walk away. I’m mad at her, but I don’t want her to die. I hope she can hear the concern in my voice and not get offended by my question. I see her back stiffen.
“I thought you said you would help me,” she says quietly, turning to face me. My heart melts and the pain and despair in her voice. My heart loves this wild and (possible) insane girl but my rational side tells me not to get involved. She’s too erratic. Sometimes she likes me, but most of the time it’s like she hates me. What should I do?
I hesitate for a second, then start to tell her she’s on her own; I can’t risk my own life for whatever crazy thing she has going on. I see her face fall before I can even say anything, and in that millisecond, my mind is made up. “I am,” I tell her, getting out of the car. She grins at me with those sad, sad eyes and takes my hand. Together we run towards the prison. I try to stop my mind screaming all the bad things that could happen to me, and fail. Giving up, I put on a brave face and stand protectively by Hannah as she knocks on a metal door.
“I see you brought company,” a low voice growls from behind us. I whirl round in shock and try scream at the sight of the man with the long, filthy hair and the crazy eyes. No sound escapes my mouth. I turn to Hannah and I suddenly see the resemblance between her and the man. It must be her father. I grin a little. This me a joke between them.
Then Hannah turns to look at me and I see the fear – real fear – in her eyes. “What is this?” I ask, trying to keep my tone light. “Some kind of joke, is it?”
“NO!” the man yells at me. I cower a little. Then he brings out the knife. I’m about to scream when he puts it to my neck. Then I decide it’s best to keep quiet. If this is a joke, it’s a very elaborate one. And somehow, I don’t think it is a joke.
“Oh Hanny's been a very naughty girl, hasn't she? Keeping secrets from her boy-friend,” the man taunts.
“He's not my boyfriend, so just leave him alone! You want me, and that’s it!” Hannah says. I want to argue, but I’m frozen with terror. “Where is Aunt Freda and Rose?!” Hannah screams.
“Well...in a few hours they'll be floating up to heaven,” he chuckles evilly. I gulp. Is he being serious? I know who Aunt Freda is – and she’s pretty nice. Why has this man – Hannah’s father? – got her and this Rose person? What the heck is going on?
“Not if I kill you first!” Hannah shouts. I practically faint dead away. Okay, so I really shouldn’t get involved with this girl. Her dad’s a murderer and apparently she is too. What have I gotten myself into? She grabs a hammer and runs at her dad hollering before I can restrain her.
Her dad laughs again. “Boys, get her.” I see intimidating shapes appearing from the darkness. I try to vanish into the stone wall behind me.
Hannah laughs confidently. “Poor little daddy is chicken is he? Afraid he'll lose so he has to call out for backup?” she goads, smirking. Okay, there is something wrong with that girl.
“Hold back boys, I'm going to kill her myself.” Much to my relief, the shapes fade away into the shadows again. Then Hannah's dad charges at her with a pipe, which she skillfully dodges.
"ALEX! TRY TO FIND AUNT FREDA AND ROSE!" she yells at me, fighting her dad off with her small weapon.
Glad to be able to get out of there, I edge my way along the wall then run for my life. I check behind me to make sure I’m not being followed, and then duck into a doorway.
I’m in a hall with many prison cells. It’s almost completely dark. Cautiously I walk down the passage, glancing around nervously. My footsteps echo loudly, making the whole experience scarier. I really want to get out of this place, but I’d promised Hannah I’d help, and I never break my promises.
Even if it means risking my life.
Through the darkness I suddenly spot people in one of the cells and let out a bloodcurdling shriek. A face appears between the bars, shushing me. I recognize the face as Aunt Freda.
“Aunt Freda?” I ask timidly.
“You’re Alex, aren’t you. Well I’m glad Hannah got help but I wish she’d gone to the police. Now, boy, are you going to help me and Rose out of this cage or stand there looking gormless?” she asks as a face appears beside hers. “Rose” I guess.
“Oh, err, okay.” I look around and spot a broom in a corner. I bring it over and stick one end through the bars. “Now, push on that stick,” I instruct the two woman. They do so as I push the other way. Slowly, the bars creak and bend, creating a gap just wide enough for a grown woman to fit through. Aunt Freda and Rose climb out of their cell. Aunt Freda hugs me tightly.
“Thank you Alex,” she says. “Now let’s get out of here.” The three of start to creep out the tunnel when two burly men appear in front of us. The “backup” is my guess.
They just glared at us, and grabbed our collars. They led us through the tunnels and threw us into a room (not cell) and slam the door shut behind us. I heard the lock click.
“Aunt Freda!” Hannah cries and throws herself at her aunt. I am scared still by her black eye that is only just starting to form.
“Hannah! What happened to you!”
“He hit me with a pipe,” she muttered. I gasp. How could a father be so cruel?
The three of them huddle up and start muttering to each other. I stand in a corner, feeling awkward as their voices get louder.
“I don’t know why you had to involve the poor boy,” Aunt Freda says angrily.
“You know if I’d gone to the police he would’ve killed you instantly,” Hannah argues.
“The girl has a point, Free,” Rose says.
“That’s it!” I yell. “Would someone please tell me what the heck is going on!” I demand angrily. The three of them exchange glances.
“Well, I don’t see the harm in it now,” Aunt Freda sighs.
