The Scars

I swiveled back to the address where Vera was. The note in my hand could be a sign that she might be desperately in need of help at the moment. To save the time, I ran as quickly as I could, passing the people who watched me in wonder. I forgot that my full-of-stitches old shoes would be easily ripped if I used them carelessly. After taking off the shoes, I kept running. I resumed the journey without my shoes on. I carried them in my hand.    

    

While running, I flashbacked to my conversation with Vera in the restroom. That girl possibly put the note when we stood side by side in the restroom. I just did not notice that because I was busy looking at my dull face. Vera spoke nothing in the room except motivating me not to give up on everything. That did not sound weird. She always spread positivity. Never did I think that she would be in trouble. As a cheerful and smart girl at school, she was clean from bad record. There was no issue related to her personal or school life. Why did she need help?    

    

Eventually, I arrived by the gate of the housing and put my shoes on. A security guard stopped me and asked some questions. It was a little bit strange as no one questioned me when I chased the car that took Vera to the house. I genially answered their queries though.    

    

After being interrogated by the security guard, I was allowed to get in. It was only the old man I met at the yard when I observed the house. The building was deserted like nobody was inside it and nothing bad was happening.    

    

I fished the note out of my pocket and ensured that it was Vera’s hand writing. I once saw her inking on her book in the library. Her hand writing looked exactly the same as it was written on the note.    

    

“Is there anything I can do for you, Miss?” The old man had been only few centimeters apart from me. His genial face indicated that he was willingly to help me. “Have we met before?” He was finally aware that I had ever been here before.    

    

“Yes, I was the one who sent the food yesterday.” I could not be lying. “I just found out that this is my friend’s house.”    

    

“Are you really a friend of Mr. Tony Alexander?” His forehead wrinkled, doubting my confession. “I mean you are too young to be his friend.”    

    

“Well, I saw my friend, a 17-year-old girl; few inches taller than me entered this house. Can I see her? I have something to give her.” I took out a random book of my bag. It was only an excuse in order that he trusted me. “I am going to return this book to her.”    

    

“I am afraid that I can’t let you in. Mr. Alexander is having a guest right now. I’m sorry,” he refused me.    

    

“But, my friend urgently needs this book.” I was lying. The situation required me to do so.    

    

“You can leave the book with me. I will give it to her later when the guest has left the house.”    

    

“I am sorry but my friend asked me to give this book back to her by myself.” I was still pursuing.    

    

“No one is allowed to visit her right now,” he blurted out.    

    

“Why? Is she okay?”    

    

“Sorry, but I can’t tell you more,” he asserted. “You can leave now, Miss.” He politely asked me to go.    

    

“No, I won’t go home without seeing my friend.” I was adamant to stay.    

    

“Don’t be obstinate! You’ll be in trouble if Mr. Alexander saw you around here. I suggest you leave this place. Otherwise you will regret it,” he intimidated me.    

    

“I won’t go unless you let me in and ensure that my friend is not in danger inside there.”    

    

“It is up to you.” He was heading back to his shelter.    

    

“Do you have a daughter, Sir?” I was trying to provoke him. “What if it happened to your daughter? What if, right now, someone is attempting to hurt your daughter and nobody wanted to rescue her?” It worked. He walked back to me.    

    

“Who are you so that I should listen to you?    

    

“You don’t have to listen to me. You have to think that there is always possibility that bad things may afflict anyone including your daughter or son or even your wife.” I did not surrender. “Please, I am begging you.” After ensuring the area was clear, he unlocked the gate for me. Thanking him, I burst inside.    

    

I ran across the front yard. It was impossible to get into the house as a guest. They would certainly extrude me. An idea came on my mind. The only way to investigate the house was to peep through the ajar window in the corner. I did not know why the owner let that window a half open. Was it a trap? But, that was impossible. They did not know that there was a stranger here.    

    

I tiptoed under the window and slowly upheld my head to observe what was inside. There was nothing or nobody there. It was only darkness I witnessed. I almost turned my head when suddenly something hit my shoulder.    

    

“Glad that you are finally conscious,” someone said. It was like I heard a voice in my dream. The voice was clear and assertive. Whose voice was that?    

    

“Please let her go. Don’t touch her.” Another voice, but this time it was soft and desperate. Why was it so hard for me to open my eyes?    

    

“She will be safe as long as you obey me. You know I like a submissive girl.”    

    

“I’ll do anything you want. Can you let her go?”    

    

“Don’t worry. When she wakes up, I will have my man send her home.” Their voices got clearer and louder on my ears. Suddenly, a white light gleamed on face. It was not my house or school. Where was I?    

    

“Ilana, are you awake?”    

    

“Vera...” I got up immediately. “Is it you? Where are we? Let’s go from here?”    

    

“Who do you think you are will let Vera leave this place?” That deep big voice came from a handsome tall well-built around forty-year-old man. I hugged Vera, protecting her even though I knew with my fragile figure; I would never defeat that strong man.    

    

“You have promised me to send her home. You have to keep your words,” Vera reminded him. She was about to stand up but I held her hand and shook my head, asking not to approach that man. “It’s alright. He won’t hurt me,” she said to me.    

    

“Sure.”    

    

“Ilana, someone will drive you home. Go now.”    

    

“No if it is without you. This place is not safe for you.”    

    

“He will not kill me,” she whispered.    

    

“You have no time. Go now! Otherwise, I change my mind.” That man commanded.    

    

“Ilana, Please....” Looking at the beast, it was like facing a dangerous giant creature that could devour you anytime. Yet, I did not want to abandon Vera with that evil person in this house. So, I used a little chance I had, to grab Vera’s hand with me. That beast thundered the room with his immense voice, calling out all his men.