Chapter Two

The loud smashing from downstairs was a result of Zoe dropping her plate on the floor, which of course, she couldn’t clean up herself. I was forced to clean the glass up while also cooking her another dinner. After I was done, I escape to the attic once again and immerse myself in one of my hidden books.

I had just read through a chapter of the book, when I hear the front door knocking. I always stop what I’m doing when the door knocks, I think a part of me hopes that somehow someone has found out what my family have been doing and will come and save me. As you can see, that hasn’t happened yet but I’m holding out to hope that it will.

“Oh Francis, what can I do for you?” Patrick asks which told me who was there, it was one of our nice neighbours who used to always smile at me when I would walk by.

“I have been sent to all the neighbours to tell them there us this fair like event happening tomorrow, someone important is visiting and all the residents have to attend, that includes the daughter of your wife that you keep locked away.” Francis says in a harsh tone, this does take me by surprise that he brought me up, but I knew there was no way that Patrick would allow me to leave.

“I’m sorry Francis, but I have no idea who you are talking about. My wife and I only have two children together.” Patrick says as like I suspected him to, there would be no way he would just allow me to parade around like I haven’t been locked away from the world.

“Oh don’t play dumb with me Patrick, all of the old residents know that Pamela had a baby before she met you. Yes she was young but she tried with Evermore, but when you came onto the scene that poor baby was left alone. Now, she better be at this event tomorrow because if she is not, I will have no other choice but to call the authorities as it will be clear that something more sinister has happened to her. There are many residents who will back up all of my claims, so for you sake, bring her.” Francis spits at Patrick which did make me sit up shocked, I have never heard anyone talk to Patrick like that!

“Fine, she’ll be there.” Is all he says before closing the door, my eyes go wide on hearing that I will actually be able to leave the house, something I haven’t been able to do in years!

But I knew Patrick, he might say I’ll be there but it’s highly unlikely. What are people going to think when they see me? I thought everyone had forgotten about me, but according to Francis, people remember me! I hear heavy footsteps getting closer to me, I place my book under my bed again and run over to the window on the other side acting like I hadn’t just heard what was being said.

Before I knew it, the door to the attic opened and in walks Patrick. He hadn’t been in this place forever, so I knew how disgusted he was going to feel looking around.

“Come here, you sorry piece of rubbish.” He spits at me as soon as he spots me, I swing my legs off the seat and slowly makes my way over to him.

He walks over and takes ahold of my hair so I was looking him in the eyes, I hold onto his hand to try and make him stop pulling.

“I don’t know if you’ve just heard what that man said, but for whatever reason we all have to head to the centre of town tomorrow and that includes you. Now I know we don’t have any issues with you telling people what has been happening, let’s me honest you haven’t uttered a word in years. But if you try to wander off, you will not like the beating that you receive when I find you.” He tells me so close to my face that his spit was getting in my eyes, but I didn’t break eye contact as I knew he hated that. “You are to stay by my side the entire time, got it?” He asks his eyes deadly, I nod my head as much as I could due to him still having a death grip on my hair.

Once I agreed, he throws me so I land on the floor with a thud looking up at him. He shakes his head looking to the side slightly.

“I’ll have one of the girls bring you up some clothes, we don’t want people seeing you like that. Don’t get used to this.” He tells me before walking over to the door and slamming it behind him, while I still lay on the floor a little dumbfounded at what just happened.

I slowly get to my feet, my head hurt from how tightly he was pulling my hair out. I wanted to say that I was used to what he did to me, but the pain is something that you never get used to no matter how long you have to endure it. I place my hand to my hair to see a piece of my hair in my hands, he pulled so hard that my hair ripped out. I know what is happening tomorrow is a kind of break for me, but hearing that I have to be at Patrick’s side did scare me slightly.

But on the bright side, I’ll be away from this attic and the house for a few hours. You never know, one of the neighbours might actually call somebody and I’ll be free, but I knew how unlikely that was to happen. I wonder what people are going to think when they see me again? Will they be surprised that I’m still around? As like they said, they haven’t seen me in a few years, maybe people have been going over different theories of what they think happened to me? Do you think even the people that weren’t here at the time have heard about me? I have so many questions now Francis has turned up.

Whatever happens tomorrow, at least I would get some fresh air or even a fresh start.