30. Chapter 30

Chapter 30

-Julia-

I could do this. Jared had thoroughly briefed me, and after quelling the fear bubbling within, I executed our plan, attempting to exude warmth toward my "family". Yet, none of it felt genuine. I sensed a detachment, reminiscent of the way my father always treated me—a look in their eyes conveying disinterest. Nevertheless, I refused to be discouraged. Having endured my father's tyranny for so long, I knew I could endure this too.

However, as I feigned casual strolls, scouting for escape routes, I noticed that only certain guards possessed keys granting access to specific areas of the house. The office my grandfather frequented remained perpetually locked and off-limits to me. They made it clear that such matters were beyond a child's purview, insisting I wait until I was older.

I chanced upon the room where my father was confined, but it seemed there was little hope for him. It made me wonder if there were any for me. Even the house's entrance was heavily guarded, leaving me uncertain of how to find an escape route. The walls were too tall to climb, and despite being told that I wouldn't suffer anymore, I remained under close surveillance.

How would I escape from here? I knew Jared's intentions once I departed. He had confided that he planned to obliterate the entire establishment. Though I didn't fully grasp what that entailed, I understood that I needed to aid him from the inside. But how?

Following dinner on the third day, I toyed with the idea of simply bolting for the exit, but I knew that wouldn't suffice. As the family congregated in one of the living rooms, enjoying each other's company and engaging in conversation, I racked my brain for a way to create a diversion.

The sound of a flicking lighter caught my attention. One of my uncles ignited a cigarette, then glanced my way. Upon noticing my gaze fixed on the gleaming lighter adorned with a crest, he smiled and extended it toward me.

"Every member of the family has one," he explained, and I cautiously accepted it.

He maintained his smile, while the others observed as I examined the lighter.

"Keep it," he insisted.

"She's only nine," my grandmother interjected.

"10," I corrected.

"What?" she queried.

"I'm 10," I corrected.

"I'm pretty sure you're still nine," she insisted.

I couldn't argue. I no longer remembered my birthday, but Jared had granted me the freedom to choose a new one, so I had. I shook my head, prompting my grandmother to turn to her husband.

"Isn't her birthday in November?" she asked.

Her husband shrugged, equally unsure, and my grandmother grew distracted trying to recall the date.

"I must have some documents around here somewhere," she mumbled, rising from her seat.

I cared little about my birthday and continued studying the lighter until the clinking of ice cubes caught my attention. Another uncle took a sip of his drink, and I glanced back at the lighter, something clicking in my mind. I remembered a scene from a movie where someone filled a bottle with alcohol and ignited a cloth attached to the top. Did alcohol burn? My gaze drifted over my grandfather's head to the liquor cabinet.

Jared had mentioned removing this place. Did he mean burning it down? An idea began to form—perhaps my only chance of escaping this place. None of these people were my family. Even days later, I still felt like a stranger among them, and I refused to remain trapped any longer. Alison had said that wasn't a life, and I believed her. She resembled my mother a lot, radiating a light few possessed. I trusted Alison.

As the night wore on, people began bidding each other goodnight. I discreetly slipped the lighter into my pocket, feigning tiredness as I followed the small crowd. While the others were distracted, I stealthily retreated to a nearby bathroom. When the house fell silent, I cautiously made my way back to the living room. However, not everyone had retired for the night—my grandparents remained, prompting me to press myself against the wall, hidden from view.

"I told you she was born in November," she insisted.

"So what? If she wants to be 10, let her be 10," he chuckled.

"It's important. Remember, we need to know the exact moment she turns 21."

"Yes, yes, but let the girl have her imagination. What does it matter? We know the truth, we know when she can claim her inheritance."

"So we celebrate two birthdays?" My grandmother's tone dripped with disapproval, as if she couldn't fathom a worse idea, confirming my suspicion of their fake affection.

"So what if we did?"

"It would be unfair to our actual grandchildren."

"For now, we need to maintain appearances," my grandfather interjected. "She just needs to believe we're blood relatives and her family. Once everything is in her name, we can dispose of the little bastard."

I pressed my hand over my mouth, suppressing the gasp that threatened to escape.

"Fine," my "grandmother" reluctantly agreed.

"Now let's go to bed."

The pair departed the living room, oblivious to my presence. I glared at their retreating figures, reaching into my pocket and clutching the knife Jared had given me. I yearned to inflict harm upon them, but I knew I was outnumbered. So I slipped back into the living room, closing the doors behind me.

I dashed over to the cabinet, but it was locked, presumably to prevent smaller children from gaining access. I attempted to force it open, but when it resisted, I seized the knife once more. With a swift motion, I withdrew my hand and smashed it against the glass. It shattered, and without hesitation, I went to work, mindful of any approaching footsteps.

Hastily, I uncorked the bottles, letting their contents spill out onto the floor, even tossing some further into the room. As I heard commotion drawing nearer, signaling people approaching, I swiftly retrieved the lighter. Just as the door swung open and the guards caught sight of me, ordering me to freeze, I hurled the lighter toward the liquid. The flames ignited much quicker than I had anticipated, spreading with a ferocious speed that forced the guards to retreat as the wooden floor became engulfed.

A smile tugged at my lips, but my triumph was short-lived as I realized I was now trapped, with the doors blocked and the room filling rapidly with smoke. Coughing and covering my mouth, panic surged through me. Frantically scanning for an escape route, my eyes landed on a nearby window. I raced toward it, wrenching it open and allowing both myself and the smoke to spill out. Despite my coughing fits and my small lungs struggling to draw breath, I stealthily navigated around the house, the cacophony of voices and commands echoing in the chaos of the fire.

Keeping close to the house, I made my way toward the front, observing the guards on duty rushing toward the flames, leaving the area momentarily unguarded. Crouching low, I approached the gate, the promise of freedom almost within reach. But just as I was about to slip through the iron bars, someone grabbed me from behind.

"No!" I screamed.

"Come here," the guard growled at me.

"Let me go!"

"You started this, you little brat!" he snarled, pointing toward the burning lower section of the house.

"Let me go! Let me go!" I pleaded.

"You're going to pay for this," the guard growled.

As he started to lead me back, I recalled Jared's advice: don't let them get too close . Acting on instinct, I reached for my knife, flipping the blade out and driving it into the guard's thigh. He screamed in agony, collapsing to the ground, and I swiftly withdrew the blade, plunging it in again.

With a yelp of pain, he released me. Seizing the opportunity, I pulled the knife out once more and fled, darting between the iron rods of the gate. Racing into the darkness, I called out for Alison and Jared, unsure of their whereabouts.

Running felt endless, my legs growing weary. Slowing my pace, I heard shouting behind me.

"Catch her!" someone barked.

Glancing over my shoulder, I saw flashlights and shadows closing in. Tears welled in my eyes, and I screamed for Jared and Alison, pushing myself to run faster. As my pursuers drew nearer, I sobbed uncontrollably, convinced they had abandoned me. Lost in my panic, I ran blindly until, just as I thought I would be caught, strong arms enveloped me, lifting me off the ground.

"Fire!" a commanding voice ordered, and gunshots rang out. I clung to the neck of my rescuer, my body pressing against theirs.

Amidst the chaos, the sound of speeding cars filled the air.

"Is she okay?" a female voice asked.

"Yes."

"Here, let me take her." Another person attempted to grab me, but I was too scared and upset. I held on tightly to my savior, knowing I was safe in their arms.

"No!" I whimpered.

"It's okay, Julia. It's Alison," a soothing voice assured me.

Still trembling, I refused to let go, finding solace in the warmth and security of the person holding me.