Sisters by chance - The beginning

The End

Sofia's POV

When we have eaten and feel ready we leave and go up and down the empty village streets. The night is tepid with soft winds: warm but without the pressing sun. We stroll slowly towards our goal. Erik has his arm around my shoulders, it is nice but a bit suffocating at the same time. Sam leads Hannah's bike and flirts with her. He is quite charming! And observe them quietly. When we arrived at our old middle school, we were met by Max, Michael, and his girlfriend, whose name I always forget. Behind the gym is the village's municipal pool. We carefully check ones more that no one is nearby before we walk around along the fence to the corner. This corner is hidden behind bushes and trees, if we aren't seen walking in here, we won't be seen as we sneak inside. To open up the hole that is our entry, you need to loosen the edges from around the corner pole. We have done this so many times it ridicules. Still, it is always exciting sneaking in like this. We throw our bags over and crawl in one by one. Without any delay, I throw off the t-shirt and skirt before I sprint towards the pool. My expectation is so high! I have been longing for this all day.

This is gonna be wonderful!  

The others are not far behind, and we are all laughing. I run through the grass towards the larger pool and dive when I reach the edge. It feels like I am flying for a moment before my fingers break the surface and lead the way into the water. The cool water devours me whole. The feeling of happiness and freedom flows through my body like the water around me. I swim as far as I can underwater before a burning sensation hits my lungs. I push myself to the surface and fill my lungs with air. I'm Gasping while treading water. As my breathing evens out, I lay down to float on my back to unwind.

I'm lying there, admiring the dark sky above me. It’s not entirely black but, the stars are twinkling brightly. The moon is far away and shines pale. It looks lonely and a bit sad. Someone splashes water in my face and, a full-scale water war breaks out. I'm laughing so hard my stomach hurts. I’m gonna get them! Who said you have to behave like twenty just because you are?

***

It is with heavy steps we walk instead of riding or bikes. We are both tired, Hannah and I. This evening started so well, only to end in disaster. As the night ended, Erik wanted me to go home with him. Apparently, I live a f*****g eternity from everything, and he wasn't in the mood for climbing mountains to get laid. Instead of being like: 'cool babe, let's get together tomorrow instead!' When I explained that I didn't want Hannah to go home on her own, he had a tiny meltdown. 

Maybe laughing at him wasn't the nicest thing to do, but he had it coming if he thought that yelling at me would convince me to change my mind. He acted like a total i***t, throwing a tantrum like that in front of our friends and all.

When he discovered that I wasn't having it and that I wasn't going to change my mind, he took Laura by her hand and walked off. Surprising everyone, except me! 

Laura gave me a smug smile over her shoulder but faltered as I gave her one back, followed by a small wave. She can have my sloppy leftovers, he will tier of her, and when he does, I'll just laugh at them both! 

Hannah is making small huffs and sighs, but she says nothing. She just stares down at the road and keeps going. I'm not even that mad about him taking Laura by her hand and basically dumping me in front of the others. It's the notion that Hannah isn't important, that she could have walked home on her own. What if something would have happened to her? We do live a pretty long way from everything, and even so, it's a tiresome road to walk alone. She is my baby sister, he must know by now that I would never have let her go by herself. The thought of him doing this on purpose crosses my mind. A way out...

A soft cough brings me back to reality,

"You could have gone with him, I wouldn't have minded!" Hannah whispers beside me. 

"Oh no! This, was actually inevitable and probably the best thing that could have happened. Now I know who he really is. And it's not pretty!" I tell her. 

"Are you Sure? I mean, I could have walked home by myself!"

"I'm sure! Now I'm free to do whatever and whoever, no strings attached!" I laugh, meeting her gaze. She doesn't look convinced, but I am totally sure. Why stay with him, there is other fish in the sea right? The is bright blue, now. The sun isn't coming just yet, but soon. 

"So, Sam?" I ask, trying to cheer her up.

She blushes, and I let out a sharp whistling, teasing her.

"He's, nice!" She whispers softly, without elaborating further.

"He is, hot, and charming, totally in love with you, and yeah, nice!" I taunt dragging the c out as I keep my eyes on her. 

"Yeah!" She blushes.

My sweet innocent sister has fallen head over heels. This is adorable! 

As we reach the front yard of the house we put our bikes away and sneak into the house. As I am about to close the door behind us a rusty old truck passes us. The first vehicle on our entire walk home. A sigh of relief escapes me and I lock the door behind us before following Hannah up the stairs. We brush our teeth, I constantly yawn barely able to keep my eyes open. This has been a long night. The sun is slowly rising by the horizon, the sky is in pale pinks and blues making promises of a warm summer day. I'll probably sleep it all away.

Hannah grunts a goodnight or good morning before leaving for her room. I wash my face, brush my hair, and throw my clothes in the hamper. I walk to my room right beside hers. My bed is cold as I crawl up in it and pull the blanket over me. Slowly I get warmed up and a comforting calm finds me. This thing with Erik, it's kind of good that it's over. I never really felt super comfortable with him. Sure it could be good, but something always felt off. Content, my brain shut down and sleep takes over, I drift away into the land of dreams.

A sudden dip in the bed and a huge hand over my face ripes me out of my sleep. Panic-struck over the unknown behind me I launch myself forward like a bullet out of the barrel of a gun. There is someone in my house, in my room, in my freaking bed. Resolut arms hold me down and press me against a firm body behind me. A dark, chilling voice whispers in my ear; "Don't fight, don't scream, and they will live!" The panic doesn't subside at all. But I go completely limp in his hold, except for the fact that I'm shaking from head to toes. They, they, are my family. My siblings. I have trouble breathing and tears stream down my face as my brain starts to show me images of different scenarios. Things he can do. I know it's a man, at least by the voice. A low, grave, and dark voice that creeps me out. 

"Now now, pretty pet, that's better. If you do as I say, they will live. If you do as I say they won't be harmed. Do you understand?" He whispers brushing against my earlobe with his lips. I nod barely noticeable afraid of giving him a reason.

"Good!" He whispers and drags his tongue against my ear down my neck onto my shoulder licking my exposed skin. I shiver and squirm in his grasp, trying to get away. 

"I'll kill them!" He growls making me whimper through his muffling hand. Everything happens so fast. He pushes a piece of cloth into my mouth, bends my arms behind my back, and ties me up. He covers me with a blanket that he wraps around my head and my body. Then he throws me over his shoulder. Claustrophobic I start to fight against him. He growls again, a low unpleasant sound that barely reaches me through all the layers of fabric. But still, I feel it in my body, like a vibration. I feel how we move quickly through the house, down the stairs. When the chilly morning air hits my bare thighs, I realize what's going on. He's taking me. He's taking me away. Regardless of anything, he said before, I panic. I kick with my legs and scream as best I can through all the fabrics. All I can produce is a muffled sound that barely reaches my own ears. When my back suddenly hits the ground and knocks all the air out of my body, I barely register the pain before everything turns black.