CHAPTER FOUR

After leaving both my Uncle and Lindsey on the stairs I made my way to my room. I rummaged through my entire room to pack the stuff I needed. I changed into skinny jeans and a tank top. Uncle told me he would call the cops after I had successfully left the house. 

After packing everything, I strolled outside the mansion from the backside as to not gain any attention. Once outside, I walked far away from the mansion. It was late so I couldn’t find a cab. My phone rang, and I pulled it out of my pocket. It was my uncle.

“Did you leave the house?” he asked. I nodded, even though he couldn’t see me. 

"Yes," I told him. He told me to not call him with this phone and to throw it on my way. He added that once I’m somewhere safe, I should call him. I was getting nervous with each passing second.

"Have you called the police yet?" I asked, biting my lower lip.

"Not yet. But I'm calling after hanging up." He finished.

"Bunny, everything will be alright, okay?” he tried to soothe me but it didn’t work this time. A tear rolled down my cheek, and I placed a hand on my mouth to hide my sobs from him. I was scared, but I didn’t want to worry him more than he already was.

“Just hide somewhere for the time being. I'll find a way and you know we love you," he finished while I stayed silent. I closed my eyes and tried to find my voice. I wiped my cheek and voiced, "I love you too. Take care of Lindsey for me.” He murmured a yes and hung up the phone. I had stopped walking during my call. I stood there and looked behind me. I could still see my mansion lit with lights. There was a party still going on inside with people who were unaware of what just happened an hour ago. I hurled my phone on my right side and walked away from it.

As I walked straight on the road for almost half an hour, I heard sirens. The cops. Uncle had warned me to not trust the cops as Beckham controlled them. When I saw the cars approaching, probably going to the mansion, I hid behind the bushes at the side of the road. It was already dark, so I was sure they couldn’t see me. Once the vehicle passed me, I stepped out of my hidden place and decided to get out of here.

I shuffled my feet faster and finally reached a bus stop. I looked around me to see anyone suspicious, but no one was there. I was panting and sweating. After a few seconds, when my breath got a little normal, a bus arrived. I got on the bus without thinking. I didn't know where this bus was going, but I didn’t care. All I care about was to get the hell away from here

After two hours of bus ride, I got off the bus. I had come far from my home. It was already midnight and the night seemed darker than usual. As I padded my way through the street, I felt strange. I had to look over my shoulder in fear of being followed. This place was already giving me creepy feelings. I couldn’t see anyone on the street. Walked on the pavement, I searched for a place to stay for the night. After a walk of ten minutes, I caught the sight of a shop that looked like a departmental store. I walked into the store and to the counter where a person was reading a magazine. I cleared my throat to get his attention. He looked at me a little surprised and placed the magazine on the counter. 

"Um...do you know if there's a hotel nearby?" I asked. He gazed at me, making me uncomfortable. Have I declared wanted on the television? Was that why he was looking at me like that? If that was the case, then what would I do?

"Looks like you traveled to a wrong place," He commented. I ran my mind to come up with an excuse.

"Yeah. I overslept and missed my stop," I blurted out in response. 

"I understand. It happens. But don't worry, there's a hotel. Go straight and take a left turn on the first cut. You'll find one," He told me.

"Ahh, Thank you." I said and smiled at him. As I was exiting the store, I saw a hat placed on display in the corner.

"Can I buy this?" I asked the owner, pointing my index finger at the hat.

He looked at the hat and then at me. "Yes, it's for sale." I purchased the hat and left the store. I put the hat on my head to conceal my face, but it was already dark and there was no need for that. I reached a hotel with the directions provided by the store owner.

"Can I get a room?" I asked the receptionist. The hotel’s condition was not great. It reminded me of my hotel and suddenly I felt sad. The receptionist nodded and asked me for my Id; I gave him my fake one, which I packed with my other stuff. He gave me my room keys and pointed toward my room. I thanked him and walked to where he pointed and found my room. Unlocking the door, I stepped inside and closed the door behind me. The room was small with a bed in the center and a small window at one side of the room. My gaze landed on the only important thing in the room. I ran for it. I sat on the bed and grabbed the telephone and dialed my uncle's number. He didn't pick up, so I called him again and again and again. I called him for the fourth time and this time he picked it.

"Hello, who is this?" My Uncle asked.

"Uncle, it's me," I said.

"Bunny? Did you leave the city?" He asked.

"Yes, I don't know where I am, but I’m far from home. Where is Lindsey? I want to talk to her,” I waited for his answer but he went silent and my heartbeat quickened. I got an awful feeling about his silence.

"What is it Uncle? Where is Lindsey?" I asked him, getting impatient. He remained silent.

"Uncle?" I yelled at the phone.

"She…um they... he took her. He said if you do not go to him, he won’t let her go." I felt someone had dropped a bucket of cold water on me. My stomach twisted in knots and my eyes brimmed with tears. Lindsey was in danger because of me. That was the only thing I could think of.

"Why didn't you tell me before? I wouldn't had run like that." I cried on the phone. I shouldn't have listened to them now Lindsey was in danger.

"Where is she?" I asked.

"I don't know." he said in a remorseful voice. I hung up the phone. Tears escaped my eyes, and I started to cry. I wiped my cheeks and dialed Lindsey's number. Nobody picked the phone which made me feel worse. What if something happened to her? How was I ever going to forgive myself if something happened to her? I dialed again and relief washed over me when she picked the phone.

"Linds?" I yelled at the phone.

"Uh oh. Wrong guess. Try again," the person on the other side spoke. For some reason, I recognized the unfamiliar, thick voice of the person. My hold around the phone tightened and I felt anger bubble up inside me.

"Do not hurt my sister. I'm telling you. DON'T HURT MY SISTER," I tried to threaten him while he stayed silent for a minute. 

"That depends on you, Miss Andrea Thompson,” the way he spoke my name sent a chill down my spine and I felt goosebumps all over my body. I could tell only by his voice that he was dangerous and my sister was alone with him.

"What do you want?" I gritted out through my clenched teeth.

"Come quietly if you want to save your sister. Do you understand?" he voiced. I hurriedly nodded my neck, knowing fully well that he was not here to see me. I tried to speak but my voice didn’t leave my throat. I swallowed a lump and cleared my throat.

"Yes. But don't hurt my sister," I spoke. He told me that his men would come to take me from where I was. And with that, he hung up the phone. I burst into sobs as soon as the line went dead. I laid down on the bed and stared at the ceiling. How did the night turn out to be like this? My eyelids felt heavy. Sobbing, I fell asleep.