Safe House

• Kelsey Williams, Grade 10
• Short Story
• 2021

In the afternoon glow of the trees cast deadly shadows across the ground, reaching as if wanting to trap me in their darkness. I look despreatly for a way out of this hell but see none. Tears well in my eyes and I breakout into a run, branches tearing at my clothes. "Please someone, help!' But my cries are swallowed by the defining silence. Stopping I gasp for breath but it evades me, panic attack? I try and concentrate on getting air into my lungs and soon my breathing returns to normal. As I look around I notice that the afternoon sun has started to set. "No, don't leave me in the dark. Please." My voice comes out as a croak and I want to cry but no tears will come. I slump to the ground, all energy gone. If death wishes to have me then let him come, I will fight no more. I do not know how long I stayed there, it could have been hours, days or even years. Maybe if close my eyes the darkness will swallow me, once a fear now becomes a wish. A wish to escape this pain of being alone where no one will help me. Before I get the chance a voice as soft as the wind calls out to me, lifting my head I look around but I spot nothing. Playing it off as my imagination I close my eyes, "here, come here where it's safe." My eyes snap open and I stand, glancing at the trees that have become my prison. "Don't worry just follow the sound of my voice," not thinking twice I do as they say. I walk deeper and deeper into the forest until my legs start to hurt. "Is this a trap?' No one answers, as I'm contemplating whether I should turn around or not I spot something in the distance. I speed up until I'm almost running and out of breath when I reach the little cabin, "yes, Thank you!" Relief so powerful it feels like I'm drowning washes over me and I almost collapse. Stumbling forward I try the door and it swings open without any resistance. Inside is a small room with a single chair in the middle and a dull light bulb sways from the ceiling. Walking I move only a couple steps when I hear the Door shut and an audible click which signals that I've been locked in. As much as that should have scared me it doesn't, instead I feel a strange sort of security. I continue walking to the chair and sit down, as I do chains wrap around my ankles and wrist binding me in place. "Don't panic, your safe and no one can hurt you." I smile at the thought of not being hurt anymore, this is all I ever I wanted. A safe house.