The car doors were thankfully unlocked. I remain quiet to not garner attention. When I see them slow down by the speed breaker, a few feet ahead of us, I run a quick scan around and swiftly open the car door.

Jumping with all the courage in me, I move my arm to cover my head. The stones prick me as I roll over and land in the mud road beside.  

Getting up, I dust myself and run. My legs hurt, but this is still better than going into the kidnapper's den. I hear a gunshot, and thankfully it wasn't anywhere near me.

I run with all the might I have, as I hear them shouting profanities at me.

"You asshole, look she left," I hear him yell and a smack resonates.

"Stop there, bitch!" he yells over the revving engine, as they come closer.

I don't think I'll be able to outrun it but nevertheless I keep going on while searching around,  hoping I find someone to help me.

The car soon stops in front of me and I turn around, desperately looking for a way out. But the bulky, Jamaican guy gets down and walks towards me.

In my hurry, to escape I trip on the rocks below and fall face flat on the muddy floor. I bite down the pain I feel where the stones pierce me and start crawling away from him, even though my stomach hurts. He takes two large steps and soon pins me down on the muddy ground with his leg on my arm. Capturing me, he throws me over his shoulder and carries me to the car and I'm back again.

2 days back.

Day 1:

Mom.

I whisper and take a step closer to her. I could see her standing amidst the crowd. It's easy to spot her because she was glowing like an angel and her smile was just as beautiful as I remember. Her porcelain skin seemed so fragile. Her long hair let loose flying as the breeze gently brushes her.

"Vanessa," she calls out to me in a soft whisper.

Her voice rings melodiously in my mind. I take a step further, yet somehow the distance between us widens.

"Come on baby," she says, stretching her hands. She smiles at me and encourages me to take a step forward.

I take a few more steps towards her and it seems like I'm finally covering the distance. I could now see the dress she is wearing. It is her favorite blue dress.

She looks beautiful and radiant. I remember all the good old memories attached to it. I rush to embrace her.

Oh, how much I yearn for a hug.

I run, and with every step I take, my mother becomes clearer. She hovers above the ground with a few lilies by her feet. It seems that those lilies carry her, and with every step she takes, the lilies form around her feet, keeping her afloat.

She turns around and glides in her cloud of flowers and I run behind her. Somehow the distance doesn't seem to decrease. She soon reaches a garden, full of flowers . The sweet aroma of lilies hit my nose and I see my mom sitting in the middle of the garden.

"Mom, I'm coming," I say and run the last few feet that separate us.

I raise my hands to just touch but before I could lay a finger on her; she disperses into pieces and disappears into thin air. The butterflies in the garden soon surround me and I could not figure out where my mom is.

"Mom!!" I yell, hoping she can hear me.

"Where did you go?" My eyes quickly scan the area around looking for her, "I need you. Please come back," running to where I supposed she went. I run deeper into the garden, to see that it leads to a forest.

"Mom, I miss you! Come back, please," I yell again, hoping she comes back.

I feel hot streaks of tears running down my cheeks. My vision blurs with every passing second. Nonetheless I keep running, calling out to her needing just a glimpse of her, nothing more.

My legs turn weak and I fall down. I see lilies on the forest floor below and try to pick them up, but they too disappear the second I touch them. I look up following them when I suddenly catch sight of my mom. I get up to follow her. When she sees me she disappears, again!

My face feels hot; I touch my cheeks but the tears aren't there anymore.

A shrill noise coming from somewhere close annoys me. My head starts buzzing, and I feel a headache starting.

I search for the source of the sound when I feel a tug, causing a jerk within. It feels like something is pulling me out of here. The air around me gets dense with every passing second and I feel trapped. Unable to breathe or move, I try to yell but not a single word comes out.

I flail my arms and legs, looking for a way to get out of this mess when I abruptly open my eyes. I take in my surroundings and realize it is the tangled blanket which trapped me. I get up gasping for breath.

Wiping the sweat on my forehead with the backside of my palm , I realize I'm drenched in sweat completely. Looking around, I find a water bottle and chug it all in one go.

Another nightmare!

I shake my head to clear off any remaining thoughts of it had and turn off the buzzing alarm. I see a photo of me and mom beside it. Unable to handle it anymore, I turn the frame down, not wanting another episode.

I remember those daunting lilies. Those were my mother's favorite flowers. The smell of those which she grew in our garden, is imprinted in my mind.

It is just half past seven in the morning. I open the curtains and the silent streaks of sun hit my bedroom floor. Dressing up for my school, I wear my favorite hoodie, not because it was hot outside, but because I want to be invisible. I hate the pity people give when they see me. I don't like how they treat me like I'm different.

I comb through my tangled, black hair, wincing as I pull out the knots. It's a mess, but after some effort, I finally tame it into a high ponytail. I grab my backpack and head downstairs, hoping to avoid my family.

The cool, tiles below providing a relief from the hot sun outside. 

In the kitchen, my father is on the phone, his back turned to me. Relieved, I quietly pour myself a bowl of cereal. Just as I start eating, my brother strolls in, his thick-gelled hair perfectly in place, glasses perched on his nose. He's your typical nerd, yet somehow always in the top social circle. I can never figure out how.

He grabs the milk carton without meeting my eyes. "Pass me the milk," he says nonchalantly.

I push it toward him, my eyes fixed on my cereal. "Here."

He pours the milk and leaves, and I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. This is how it's been for quite some time now.

I rush through breakfast and slip on my shoes, eager to leave before encountering my dad. "I'm off to school," I call, heading for the door.

"Wait!" My dad's voice stops me in my tracks.

Of course, my luck wouldn't be so good.

"Your brother isn't well and won't come to school. Inform the teachers. He's too sick to call them." He disappears back into his office.

And here I thought he might actually offer me a ride for once.

I walk to school, taking the route by the woods. The trees on either side and the sweet breeze calm me. With my earphones in, I kick a few stones along the footpath. At 'Springfield High', I catch my reflection in a parked car. My black hair is already messy, side bangs falling over my dull brown eyes. I pull my hood over my head and slip in through the back gate.

I spot my brother's friends by the basketball court, in their usual spot. I keep my head down and walk past them, hoping to avoid interaction.

"Oi! Vanessa. Where's your brother?" Ron, his best friend, calls out.

"Sick. He's at home," I reply curtly, not breaking stride.

Before I reach my classroom, the news has already spread. Everyone knows my brother is sick.

I struggle through classes, trying to meet the high standards he's set. I'm not a straight-A student like him, and it's tough to keep up.

No one talks to me after the morning encounter. I don't stand out, and thankfully, no one bullies me. My brother made sure of that, not out of concern for me, but because he hates having to take me home with him.

At lunch, I retreat to the library, my sanctuary. I bury myself in a book, surrounded by the low hum of gossip and chatter. I hear laughter and see groups of friends animatedly talking, full of life.

Sometimes, I wonder what it's like to have a friend to share everything with.

Author's note:

So guys, how is this chapter!?

If you liked it, please vote for it.

Before going ahead, I'd like to say that this book is based in India and some things which may seem outrageous are actually common here. Not that everything is going to be different, just a few things.

Feedbacks and suggestions are welcome.

Until the next chapter.

Lots of love,
~Vaishnavi.