Four

I stood by the small window in the attic which had become my sanctuary for the past years ever since my mom's death.

My glossy eyes glued on my father who was adjusting his black suit, a smile laced his lips at something his wife said.

He seemed so happy to be giving away his lovely daughter to a monster.

I couldn't look at him anymore so I turned my head away, my eyes shut for a minute and I felt my heart shutter in to pieces once more.

I can't believe he is really willing to give me away just like that, with the nerve to smile.

When my eyes opened they had already lost all warmness, I was getting so suffocated with all wounds on my heart.

A warm tear rushed down my flushed cheek and my hands turned into fists.

I didn't want to get married, especially to that man but what am I to do to escape this.

My mind drifted back to what my step sister Lana had said earlier.

I felt a bit of hope rise in me but what if am caught and brought back to Arthur, he would probably kill me. Sincerely am too young to die yet.

I can't let my self to die just like that, but I was so afraid of a life that's filled with torture. I thought about all the times Arthur had touched me and a shiver rushed down my spine, my eyes fell shut again, no I shouldn't try to escape.

He will find me and I will lose my will to leave.

Now what was I to do, soon my father will be up here to take me to church. The church, the house of God.

That God that my mom always used to talk about, why isn't he here to save me.

A knock came on my bedroom door pulling me out of my reverie of thoughts and I almost jumped out of my skin, I turned to it immediately just in time as the door opened.

My step sister walked in and I looked at her with glimmer in my eyes, her heart slowly calmed down to it's normal pace.

Seeing her there I felt like I was seeing my saviour though it felt like a far away dream.

" Is there anything you want to take with you " Lana asked and my gaze moved around the attic, this has been my hide out for many years and now I was about to go out and face the world outside by my self.

I knew this idea was dangerous but I can't die without trying, if it works then I may have a life to look up to.

Ever since that terrible day when all my night mares begun I had never left this house and it's premises even for once, except for the few times I had visited the cemetery.

Yes I was very nervous but this is the only way out of this marriage, looking around my room I realized there's nothing for me to take except for my mom's photo.

I saw the photo frame on the bed and moved forward immediately taking it in my hand and holding it close to my chest. I then turned to Lana and whispered in a soft voice " Am ready ".

Lana held my wrist and I flinched, I bit hard on my bottom lip in pain, I had forgotten the cuts of last night.

I wasn't willing to show these to anyone, so am glad that Lana didn't notice as she led me out of the room.

Softly we tip toed down the stairs to the hallway, I can agree that it was good to have not worn my shoes yet cause those heels would have made every thing very hard for me.

I made sure to stay behind Lana, I can't stop the anxiety that is surging through my veins, I felt like my heart was in my throat and sweat covered my fore head.

"Stay here " Lana whispered while showing me to the door of her room in case some one comes up.

I nodded and then watched as Lana walked away towards the stairs before disappearing from my view.

A shiver rushed down my spine and my grip on my mom's photo tightened as I held it close to my chest with only hope that things wouldn't go wrong, I was sweating furiously and my hands were shaking so badly.

I heard footsteps coming my way and hurriedly turned to Lana's room, opening the door then stepped inside and closed it behind me, every where was dark on the inside just as if it was reflecting on how I felt.

My heart thumped hard against my ribcage as fear took over within me, I waited for Lana patiently while every passing second was like one painful hour. The more time that passed the more I was panicking.

My ear stuck on the door as I listened for any footsteps or noise but I didn't hear anything for while and then tiny footsteps came rushing down the hallway and stopped in front of the door, my heart sunk to my stomach.

And my eyes turned glossy and I waited anxiously in panic for what was about to come next. My hands shook badly and my lips trembled.

"Ella " a soft voice whispered and I sighed, I didn't realise that I had been holding my breath all along, am not sure if the tears that escaped from my eyes were of relief or joy.

I wiped them away with the back of her hand and opened the door, I looked at Lana not knowing what to say or do but Lana wasn't about to let me say anything.

She moved forward and grabbed my wrist once again " we have to go now ".

Lana whispered and I nodded because I didn't know what to reply to her as she led me down the stairs, to the Kitchen.

She opened the kitchen door that led to the garden and we both stepped out.

" I can't go with you any further than this Ella, go through the garden, deep through the forest and you will find a road I don't know where it leads but I hope it helps but please be careful and take care of yourself " Lana whispered softly, her voice rushed and my eyes turned glossy with tears once again.

I couldn't stop myself from throwing my arms around her and hugging her so tight " Thank you so much " I whispered.

I knew it wasn't enough but I hoped that when we meet again, I will show her how much I appreciate what she just did for me.

Lana pulled away from the hug just as a car parked at the front and Arthur's men came out.

"Go " Lana screamed in panic pushing me forward that I stumbled a bit, I turned to look at her and saw the urgency in her eyes.

I turned to the vegetable garden and gripped a part of my wedding dress in my free hand then started running faster than I thought I ever would, sincerely I didn't want to go back to that monster unless am dead.

I didn't dare turn around until I heard Lana say in a loud voice " No let my sister go "

A certain warmth filled my heart and I turned around only to see her with her arms wrapped around the neck of one of those men that were after me while he was struggling to get her off his back

Lana not being prepared fell back too quickly and the back of her head hit a rock, there was no other reaction or movement from her as she lay on the ground with a flow of blood.

I froze, my eyes wide and my jaw dropped in fear, the urge to go back to her grew stronger as another set of tears streamed down my cheeks.