I bid Nicole goodbye as Barry, Lizzie, and I started heading back home.

"Well, I am ready for nap," Lizzie stated.

"It's only twelve," I responded quizzically.

"Exactly. I had to get up at eight for you! I wouldn't do that for anyone but you and Barry!"

Lizzie started stomping off, and I let her be. It was good to know that we were friends, I was worried that she was just with me because I was new.

I turned towards Barry.

"I believe you promised me a ride."

"Shall we?" I shifted us to a pair of stallions, and we set off. I felt the wind in my mane, and I ran harder, pushing to get away from life. To get away from my situation, being trapped here, away from the world. A world that I used to have a family and friends in.

In that moment, I had a memory.

Walking home from school, I was talking with a friend, Clare.

"Did you get an invitation to Zach's party he's having tonight?"

"Yeah, are you going?" I asked.

"Yes! Of course I'm coming! You know he rarely invites anyone to his parties! He must like you!" She said teasingly.

I laughed at the jest, and I got into my car, "Well, then see you tonight!"

After working on homework for the weekend, I headed out to Zach's house. Zach had pretty much been my crush for all the time I had known him. He hadn't really paid me any mind since I met him in seventh grade, since he was considered the "popular kid". But now he had seemed to notice me.

I started walking up the driveway, and I saw Clare's car pull up. I waited for her to catch up, and we walked up together. When I knocked on the door, Zach answered.

"Hey, nice to see you. Glad you could come!" He smiled warmly.

"Thanks for inviting me," I mumbled shyly, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. Zach led us to his living room and we sat down to watch a movie with some of his other friends - Max, Jack, Ruby, and Liam.

After a heated debate about movies to watch, we began to watch a comedy, leaving many in fits of laughter. I slunk into my chair as I began to get tired - I realized I still had to study for a test on Monday. I put it into the back of my mind, and focused back on the present.

"So who wants to go to the Withertop house?" Max asked when the giggles subsided.

We all stared at him in silent shock until he continued, "Well, no one is objecting so..."

He got up and began to head outside, somehow dragging all of us with him.

We drove to the house in awkward silence, and when we pulled up, no one made any move to get out of the car.

"I'll pay someone two hundred to go inside."

We all shot our heads towards Jacob, who was smiling confidently.

But it did sound tempting. I hadn't been able to have enough money for pleasures this past year. It would be nice to buy my family some nice gifts at Christmastime for a change. It would make me feel a lot better to treat myself too...

"Deal." I stated boldly.

The color drained from Jacob's face as he looked at me, "I was just joking..."

I didn't take it as a joke, and got out of the car and began to walk up to the small fence surrounding the house.

"Chloe, stop! Don't do it!" Clare shouted out the window, "That's trespassing!"

I didn't turn or falter as I opened the decorative gate. This was when I became increasingly more aware of the gnomes in this woman's yard.

What was with them? They seemed to be staring at me.

I set foot on the pathway up to the yard, and that's when I regretted everything.

They all turned and started moving towards me, and when I tried to step back, they were already in the way, pushing me forward.

I ran towards the house, and grabbed the handle of the door, which was thankfully unlocked.

I slammed the door closed right before they got to me. I panted heavily as I leaned against and locked the door. Once I gained ahold of myself, I looked around the stranger's house. I would need to find a new way out.

It was in extreme disrepair. There were planks of wood strewn everywhere, cloths draped over indistinguishable shapes, and dust scattered about.

Then I realized, how was I going to get out? Those gnomes were...

I heard a door slam, snapping me out of my thoughts. Oh crap.

I looked to my left and saw a beam that led to a hiding place. I climbed up a few pieces of furniture to reach the beam. When I looked at the ground, it seemed so far away, it made my blood run cold.

I skittered across the beam, and I heard footsteps coming down the stairs. When I turned to the source, I slipped. I let out an ear-piercing scream as I began to fall to the ground. My impending doom became closer as I grew nearer to the ground.

But I never hit.