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Chapter 7

Warning, This story contains dark scenes with graphic detail that some readers may find distressing.

The next two classes went by way too quick. When the bell rang, my heart felt heavy. Back to hell it was for me. At least I had school to look forwarded too. Taylor leaned over her desk and tapped me on the back as I was slowly packing my bag. "Listen I have cheer practice now, but you can come watch and I’ll give you a lift home," she smiled.

I laughed. "Cheerleader eh."

"Extra credit goes a long way." she winked.

I would have loved to have watched or perhaps try out myself. But the thought of what my aunt and Uncle would say or do put a chill down my spine.

"Sorry, I got to get back."

Taylor gave me the directions home. I am the kind of person that would get lost on a one-way street. I muttered a thanks and exited the classroom, waving goodbye. The halls by now were deserted. My footsteps echoed along the hall. I got an eerie feeling. You know the one where you feel like you’re being watched and the hairs on the back of your neck stand on edge.

"Going somewhere." the words were deep and harsh. Slowly I turned around to see two boys. One looked like he belonged outside a club, a bouncer. He was muscled, a broad chest and chiselled features. His eyes and button nose looked familiar, but I couldn’t place them. His hair was dark, most likely black but was too short to tell, cut into an army style. The way his lips turned up into a menacing sneer made my feet glow to the floor like they were weighed down by lead weights. Slowly, my eyes turned to the other guy. He was slim yet toned with a handsome face. He had the boy next door look, with wavy blond hair and striking blue eyes. His lips were full and a deep shade of red. What stuck out the most were his eyelashes. They were long and thick. Many girls would die for them.

"Steven's if we keep her here any longer that hair of hers may just burn the school down." he winked to the guy he called Steven's and I took a step back.

"So little fire starter. Didn't anyone ever tell you not to mess with fire. You'll get burned." The guy with the intriguing blue eyes asked as they both took slow steps forward. Before I had the chance to form a response, they both pounced on me. I kicked and screamed. Pushed and shoved but to no avail. The guy called Steven's throw me over his shoulder like I weighed less than a bag of sugar and walked me to the front entrance. I punched his back and kicked my legs frantically it was no use the big bolder of a guy was unphased.

Just before the exit, he put me down and the look in his eyes put me into flight mode. I lunged for the door, but he caught me by the waist and the blue-eyed guy tied my hands behind my black and my legs together. He then put a blindfold over my eyes. Terror gripped my whole body. These boys were insane, and they weren’t messing around. I was thrown over someone’s shoulder again and then the cold autumn air hit me. Before I could register how far we’d moved, I was bundled into a car that sped away. The force of the speed sent me flying to the side.

"So how should we teach the little fire starter a lesson?" one asked.

"Oh, I have an idea, don't you worry about that." another answered.

It felt like hours before the car rolled to a stop, my breathing becoming harder and my heart pounding faster. I was lifted from the car, and when placed on the ground my legs gave way. The floor was wet and seeped through my jeans chilling me to the bones.

"Stand up!" one yelled while grabbing my elbow and pulling me up. I swayed a little and then regained my balance. They pushed me along and my survival mode kicked in. I'd become accustomed to masking my fear, so with a deep breath, I pulled my shoulders back and held my head high. Suddenly we stopped and I was forcefully shoved into something hard. What felt like a rope was put tight around my stomach. I tried to move but I was pinned in place.

"You made a big mistake, little fire starter." the voice was husky and deep, warm breath flooded my cheeks taking away some of the icy chill.

"I never make the same mistake twice; I make it five or six times just to be sure." Surprisingly, my voice sounded strong. But as always, I should have kept my mouth shut. After all, I was the one tied up God knows where.

"She's a feisty one. I like it. We’re going to have lots of breaking this one." One of the guys sounded amused.

"Little girl, little girl tsk." the voice now sounded distant like it was moving away.

"I am not scared of you," I called out. All I got in response was a very faint laugh. Had they left me. I was praying it was just a prank. You know the new kid prank where others pop out laughing. You know what good hope did. Absolutely nothing.

My legs hurt and my throat was sore. I had been shouting out to no avail. I don't know how long I had been there. The blindfold made it difficult to judge the time.

Rain began to fall, slow and gentle at first, then the dam broke, and my body began to shake from the cold. The wind whistled in my ears and distant animals sounded in the distant.

Each drop of rain sat on my skin, I tried to count them, but it was impossible. They sat on my clothes like a perfectly formed puddle that refused to leave. I felt my bones turn to ice. What if it broke through? What if each drop sparkled with light?

Flashing and swaying orange flickered through my blindfold, and I smiled. The imagination can be a powerful thing. I could even smell smoke. That's when reality hit me. I could smell smoke and the crackling of fire. The tight ropes fell away from my body, and I stepped away from my entrapment. The ropes tying my hands and legs snapped off and I quickly pulled off my blindfold that set aflame as soon as I touched it. I jumped back. Squinting my eyes, it was dark except from the glowing flames of the fire. Fire was dancing in my hands. I screamed and fire jumped from my palm setting falling logs, dried leaves and sticks alight. Still, the fire danced to its own tune in the palm of my hand. Spinning around, I noticed I was surrounded by trees and dirt. Then I spotted it, glistening in the moonlight, a stream.

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