Play to Survive – Part III

As he was counting, I started running rapidly in the darkness, taking every step carefully so as not to tumble on the creaking broken floors.

As I was running, I heard the man counting slowly whilst giggling. A few seconds later, I ran into a room with a dim spot of light. I could not recognise where I was but as soon as I bumped my leg violently, I realised I was in the kitchen. As quickly as a flash, I hid under a table in the corner.

“10, 9, 8,” cried the eerie voice.

I heard his feet roaming slowly in every corner of the cottage. 

“ I will find you!” He screamed fiercely, “ No one had escaped from me. NO ONE!!”

My heart pounded rapidly inside my rib cage while I heard his creaking footsteps opening every door and wardrobe.

Suddenly, I heard his feet approaching the kitchen. I heard him sniffing over the table before he chuckled madly, “ Haha I can feel you. I can sniff your chilly sweat. ”

I swallowed, my throat dry and harsh as he stepped closer, his shadow dancing under the moonlight. 

“I know you are under this table!” he hissed, turning around and cracking nervously with his fingers on the top of the table.

“ I, too, was hiding under this table, trembling just like you as I heard my mum shrieking in terror. She called for my help. She was screaming in pain. I heard her frightened cries piercing through my little head. I can still hear them now. But what could a ten-year-old boy do to save his mum from being set on fire, huh?”

He added, his voice suddenly trembling, “ I was too young and very weak. My dad was sturdy. He was a very powerful man, and also very cruel. He never loved me, never loved my mum. I always told my mum to run away from this hell. I knew something was going to happen. But, she didn’t believe me. No one did.”

As I heard him muttering his words sorrowfully, my gaze was glued to the floor, unable to look away. I crawled there, shivering with fear and coldness, when I spotted a large, rusted screwdriver on the floor. I immediately picked it up and with an unexpected burst of strength, I launched my whole body at the scoundrel, digging the screwdriver into his thigh and pushing him against the wall with all my might, and then I rushed to the main door.

“BLOOD, BLOOD. I am bleeding!!!” he screamed, panicked, teetering across the dark. “Mum, Mum. Please help me. I am covered with blood.” He sobbed bitterly, his voice breaking like a child who had lost his mother. “ I am sorry, Mum. I hurt my leg again. Please don’t tell my dad. He will lock me in the dark attic. I am scared, Mum.”

I shivered with fear as I heard his wobbly steps approaching me. With my trembling hands, I tried forcing the knob to open, but in vain. My breaths slowed and became heavier as my whole body began to sweat uncontrollably. Suddenly, I noticed a hole in the cracked wall next to the door.

It was an old, smashed air vent, with a hole in the middle, fairly wide enough to let me squeeze through.

I quickly realised that was my last chance to sneak out of this terrifying place. Instantly, I crouched down and made my way through the narrow hole. 

“I found you!” the man roared as he squatted down. “And now, it’s time to end this game.”

Just as he was about to grab me, I dashed out of the hole and ran as fast as I could towards my home.

As I ran back home, I felt that my legs were barely touching the ground. I felt my body so light, flying through the air with a strong, fresh breeze carrying me along.

I closed my eyes and prayed, feeling a strange peace covering me. When I opened my eyes, I found myself in front of my house. I could not believe it. I rubbed my eyes in great amazement. I did not know if I was dreaming, but deep down, I knew it was real.

In a matter of seconds, I rushed into my room, changed my clothes, and took a refreshing shower. I lay on my bed exhausted, so exhausted that I could not even think about anything or anyone from that nightmarish cottage. My mind went blank as if I lost all memories, even a few wispy memories of what happened. I fell asleep immediately.