Day #21 – by Amber Averay (continued from Day #20):
My feet flew over the floor, my legs pumping like I was a sprinter bolting through the race of my life. The door swished shut behind me, but by the time the sound registered I was careening down another corridor and almost rebounding off the wall. I could hear laughter echoing all around me – mocking, taunting, the sound growing through my head, crashing over the walls – and it pushed me to move faster.
There was nothing more important to me than escape – no more entertaining my curiosity, no more ignoring the warnings to run. I tore through the hallways, not knowing where I was going but content that I was moving, that I was doing something. Not just standing still and sacrificing myself to ‘Him’ without a battle; I was going to make it hard if he sought to bind me, control me, hurt me.
I imagined my body an indistinct figure as I scorched along, a blurry outline and nothing more, for my speed was so great. It was a wonder I’d not tripped over my own feet yet, or tangled my legs in true ‘me’ fashion, spattering to the floor in an ungainly heap.
No, I was a bullet, an arrow, a rocket spearing forcefully toward my destination, barrelling around corners and spinning about curved walls with the confident grace of an athlete. My heart roared, my legs pumped, and adrenaline coursed through me, filling me with glorious euphoria. I was leading the chase, and I was in control – for once, I was in control.
I ricocheted around another bend and almost tripped up the bottom step of a narrow stairway; but somehow I caught my footing and scrambled upward, sometimes using both hands and feet to climb, to claw my way to freedom.
Tears leaked from my eyes, breathless sobs burned my throat. I could see something beyond the top of the stairs – smell fresh air. Hope exploded, determination racing through me, and I willed myself to move faster.
I was so close, I could almost see myself launching out into sunshine, into clear skies, fresh air, warmth, freedom. It was beautiful. It was glorious…
I gasped, my gaze refocussing on my surroundings, and a pathetic whimper escaped me as my throat burned with disappointment and humiliation.
No. No! I was nearing freedom, I was climbing the stairs, my legs wobbling, my heart thundering… Not standing frozen in this miserable, taunting weapons room, the smell of petrol assaulting my nostrils and the sound of amused chuckling tickling my ears.
I closed my eyes, brimming tears dripping down my cheeks, and my bottom lip trembled almost violently. There was a caress of warm breath at the back of my neck, then a voice – that voice – purred mockingly, ‘Did I not tell you? The mind is the most fascinating accomplice to any deception – so easily manipulated, when nudged in the right direction.’
I’d not run. I’d not tasted escape. I was still trapped.
Still caught.
Still here.
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