She just sat between the two huge men. She was counting. She counted anything her mind could find necessary, the bumps, the number of turns they had made, how long it took to make a turn, even trying to figure out what speed they were moving at. If there was any possibility she was going to escape, even the slightest chance,she needed to have a way home. She counted , trying not to worry, trying not to blame herself, but yet again, was it her fault? The numbers helped keep her thoughts in check.
After a long while, they finally got there. Her heart pounded in her ear. She forced herself to memorize the numbers.The car had come to a stop. She tried to breath but it seemed harder than normal,palms sweatier as they pulled her out of the car.
"If you survive this, you'll live." One of the men said. That makes no sense. How can I survive this. Her thoughts screamed in her head. She was sure she would die of a heart attack or a panic attack before they did anything to her.
They led her in. She heard the familiar screeching of old rusty metal. That should have been the door or gate, she wasn't sure. On taking the first step inside the atmosphere drastically changed. It felt like her heart was being crushed. The hairs at the back of her neck stood.It was cold. She was sure if it was her growing fear or just the place but it was suddenly freezing. She shivered a bit from the sudden change in temperature. It smelt horrible, like expired something? Something like rotting meat. She couldn't put her nose on the other horrible smells around. But it was strong and unpleasant. She heard never smelt anything like it.
She could only get glimpses of the place through the black sack over her head. She saw more than two other buildings there. She was led to the nearest on. It was darker than outside,stuffy and had a sickening feeling to it. They had dragged her down a few corridors and pathways until they suddenly halted. She had still kept counting her steps.
Where they stood sounded empty and small. They let go of her arms. She was very confused on what was going on. Why would they need to huge men to restrain me anyway? She felt a slight sting where they had held.The bag suddenly came off and she saw it.
At first, she didn't realize what she was looking at but as her eyes adjusted to the dark. She noticed the thick solid bars aligned in a straight line and an empty room behind it with a single bed.
A cell? Wait, a cell! I'm a prisoner? She thought as her hands were untied. One of them opened it's door using a small key and then the other pushed her in. She fell in unceremoniously. She removed her gag.
" No groaning. No whining. No crying. No sobbing.No noise." They shouted like a chorus.
This can't be it. She needed more information so she said whatever came to mind first.
" What about food?" She said fearfully.
" Once in a day ." They locked her in. They turned to leave.
Then her mind snapped back to what was really important. She held the metal bars frantically shaking it.
" Hey! What about my family? Hey,hey..." They just walked away ignoring her. They're trying to starve you. One meal per day! Don't they know I'm an adolescent. I need food. She told herself after hearing the door being slammed shut. She was certain her family would be okay. But who thought of food first in a situation like this?She kept thinking about ways to escape but nothing came to mind. She massaged her hurting wrists.
Surprisingly,she didn't shed a tear. Not because it was against the rules but because she didn't feel sad. In a situation like this anyone would have broken down, both mentally and emotionally. In dire situations normally losing hope and giving up was a better option. She however just sat on what resembled a bed and sighed. She oddly felt safe. Whatever had made her cold before seemed to have enveloped this whole place. She didn't understand why she thought that, but she was certain of it. It felt familiar.
She kept fiddling with her bracelet. The night was slowly growing nearer. It was so cold any more. Her stomach grumbled in complain as she remembered the food she was cooking still warm in the kitchen. She prayed that they weren't serious about the one meal per day thing.
She suddenly heard footsteps. Numerous footsteps. It was heading towards her direction. She watched as the men came back barely being able to see. They opened the cell opposite her's and threw someone in.
As she took a closer look, she realized that it was not one but two people. Her sisters were right there. Their parents who had been carried like sacks of potatoes were thrown in the cell next to hers.
She felt a wave of relief washing over her. Why did they take so long? She wondered. Their safely was all that mattered to her.
"Are....are you guys okay?" Her voice was low, almost like a soft whisper.
"Who said that? Devon?" Maddie replied timidly. Her voice was shaky,her breathing heavy and irregular. She was absolutely terrified.
"It's me." She began." Everything is going to be alright. Okay?" Her voice was melodic, it's tone comforting. The reassurance that it held brought a bit of hope in their hearts. She didn't understand why she didn't seemed to be frightened before. Maybe because she had to be there for her sisters and couldn't afford to be weak.
"I'm scared. I don't wanna stay here. I wanna go home." Annah cried.
"Ssh ssshhh." Her mind raced to the guards warning. No noise.
"I know you're scared. I understand but I need you to be strong, " she paused "be strong for me, okay sweetie?"
Her voice so motherly and sweet,managed to calm their nerves . She knew Maddie was terrified too but tried to hide it for Anna's sake.
"Okay." She had managed to calm down. Silence became prominent for a while.
" What do you think they're going to do to us?" Maddie finally inquired, cutting the silence in half.
Only the stifled breathing of their parents could still be heard. She had wondered the same thing too.
"I don't know." She finally responded.
No one knew. They just had to hope. Hope for the best, but expect the worst. She felt that the worst was something none of them could be prepared for.