Chapter 6 Horror

• Melissa's POV
• I scrambled to my feet and ran back to the door, but it shut with a loud bang before I could reach it. I hit and called for help, but only silence and darkness answered.
• "Mr. Brown, please!" I shouted as loud as I could, hoping he was still around and could hear me. But I soon realized that was a hopeless hope.
• After what seemed like an eternity, with no help in sight, I knew I had to conserve my strength. I slumped on the hard ground, wailing. Beads of sweat gathered on my forehead, and my head throbbed.
• I was hungry and tired. My stomach growled, and I rubbed it, remembering I hadn't eaten that morning. We were supposed to finish our chores before eating.
• I looked around the darkness, hoping to find a glimmer of light. But I wasn't sure if I meant that literally.
• The past year had been a never-ending nightmare. Painful memories flooded my mind - my mom's illness, losing my job, my father taking the loan, and my mom's passing. It seemed life was against us, draining every last bit of our happiness.
• 'Maybe we shouldn't have taken the loan; my mom would have still died anyway,' a voice in my head said. But I shook my head. At least we tried everything to save her.
• "Mom, I miss you. I miss you so much," I whispered, tears streaming down my face again. I hoped my father was okay at home, and my heart ached thinking about him. The pain he must be going through.
• I felt insects crawling up my legs and shivered, slapping myself desperately to get them off. Not being able to see them made it worse.
• The thought of something dangerous lurking in the darkness with me sent shivers down my spine, and goosebumps covered my body. I hugged my legs, losing track of time.
• ************
• I woke up suddenly, jumping up from my seated position. I had no idea what time it was or when I had dozed off. But I knew I had been trapped in the darkness for hours, with no one coming to my rescue.
• My stomach twisted with hunger, and the room reeked of sweat and unknown odors.
• Mosquito buzzes filled my ears, and I felt horrified. "God, please help me. I don't know how much longer I can survive here." Tears stung my eyes again.
• I stood there, shifting slightly, and stomping my leg occasionally to ward off the insects.
• When my legs began to ache, I decided to sit down again and try to sleep, hoping to forget the gnawing hunger in my stomach. I folded myself up like before, and after a struggle, I finally drifted off. For what felt like hours, I repeated the cycle: sleep, wake up, cry, and sleep again.
• *******
• After an eternity in the darkness, the door creaked open, and I slowly opened my eyes. I was weak and couldn't stand up. I waited for someone to come and drag me out.
• Then, someone walked in and poured water on me. I jumped up, staggering, and a bulb was suddenly turned on, revealing my horror-stricken face. I realized a bulb had been in the room the whole time, and I felt like screaming.
• "Sleeping in captivity, huh!" Mr. Brown's mocking voice echoed. He strolled towards me, passing the guard who had poured the water. He stopped a short distance away, his tone relaxed. "I can tell by the look of you that you didn't have a pleasant time in the dark room." For a moment, I thought he might show pity, but his expression remained cold.
• My legs wobbled, and I staggered to regain balance, prompting Mr. Brown to chuckle. Did he find my misery amusing? "Next time, you won't dare leave me to starve through the night," he said, his cold tone returning.
• I raised my head, my gaze filled with intense hatred. "I'm not sorry anymore for starving you, Mr. Williams Brown," I said through gritted teeth, my anger boiling over.
• For a moment, I thought I saw shock in his face, but it vanished quickly. The guard struck my face hard, and I fell to the ground. My cheek throbbed, but I didn't regret my words. It was time to stop acting like a weak, pathetic puppy.
• They dragged me away, and when we reached the main house, I realized it was still morning. But how could that be? I had spent hours in the dark room. Unless it was already the next day.
• They left me at the front of the house and walked away. I took that as a sign that I was free and staggered back to my room, earning pitiful glances from the house workers. They must think me very unfortunate by now.
• I bathed, scrubbing myself thoroughly because I stank. After a few minutes, I emerged to find a plate of rice and beef with veggies by my bed. I looked around in shock, wondering who could have left it there.
• Just then, the door swung open, and Veronica entered with a glass, which she handed to me. "Drink this, child, and eat up too; you need your strength back," she said, looking sorrowful.
• I took the glass and saw it was milk. Without hesitation, I gulped it down and began devouring the food like a starved lion.
• Veronica left after encouraging me to finish the meal and rest, offering to have someone cover for me. I watched her leave, lost for words. She reminded me so much of my mother, and my eyes stung at the thought.
• As I finished the meal, my phone rang. I grabbed it, excited to see "Sweet Daddy" on the screen. But instead of my dad's voice, a stranger spoke.
• "Who are you, and why do you have my dad's phone?" I asked without hesitation.
• "You must be Ms. Wood. Your father is in the hospital, badly injured. Your presence is needed."