Jewel In The Shadows

Vynessa's POV

Grand– it's the only descriptive word that comes to mind as I stand frozen in the bathroom, my eyes roaming uncontrollably.

Two maids, dressed in matching white T-shirts and black pants, hover around me, their faces expressionless. One holds a sponge and soap, as if eagerly waiting for me to begin my bath. I glance again at the far corner where two others stand at attention, smooth white towels draped over their arms, looking at me with almost zero emotions.

Feeling discomforted by the absurdity of it all, I step back, towards the bathtub, wondering if they don't see that there are perfectly good hangers and shelves for these things they've chosen to hold.

Do they really need to stand there, holding things like offerings?

My troubled gaze wanders around the room. I just need an escape route, good Lord, or at least a glimpse of freedom.

My heartbeat spikes up when I spot it - a large window perched above the toilet seat, its glass panes glinting in the soft light.

A shiver courses through me, the day's chill coursing through my veins like ice. I can feel fear digging deeper into me, making my chest tighten. Thinking over my next words carefully, I try to come up with something believable.

But I don't have much time! If I stay too long, it might look suspicious.

"I...I can't b..bathe with so many people." I stutter, hating myself for such weakness. My gaze threads around the room, searching for a reaction, any reaction. But the maids' faces remain hardened, their emotions hidden behind a well-perfected mask of indifference.

Like no one had just spoken, everywhere sinks further into silence.

"Everyone out.” A middle-aged woman holding my sponge speaks up, finally, her voice firm.

The other maids immediately spring into action, putting their things back on their original hangers before walking out in an orderly line. I watch them go, feeling a mix of relief and unease.

But the middle-aged woman remains rooted to the spot, her eyes fixed on me with an unnerving intensity. "I'm sorry, but I cannot leave." She says, her voice firm and resolute.

"T...then I won't take a shower," I stammer less, fighting to keep my voice above a whisper. The woman's expression remains unreadable, her silence stretching out like an eternity.

I'm on the verge of tears, feeling trapped. But then, something miraculous happens. The woman's face slowly changes, her eyes narrowing as if she's listening to some internal debate. Finally, she nods, a small, curt movement.

"Alright then, Miss Vynessa." She says, her voice measured, "I'll let you shower in private."

At her words, my heart leaps joyfully as she backs away, her eyes eventually leaving mine. The moment she disappears from my view, I spring into action. I glance around the room, with a newfound sense of urgency. Sadly there's no weapon. My gaze lands on the door, and I hurry towards it, my heart racing with anticipation.

As I reach the door, I'm momentarily stumped. Okay maybe not momentarily. The locking mechanism is sleek and sophisticated, with a series of intricate buttons and sensors that make absolutely no sense to me. I frown, my fingers hesitating over the controls.

I must figure this out. I can…

With a deep breath, I begin to experiment with the lock, my fingers tracing the contours of the device. Thankfully after a few tentative presses, I hear a soft click, and the lock's display flashes green. I breathe a sigh of relief, feeling a sense of accomplishment wash over me. The door is locked.

Hopefully no one noticed. But then again I don't wait behind to find out. I spin around, my eyes locking onto the window as if it's my only lifeline.

Which I strongly believe it is. I rush towards it, my heart pounding in my chest. I know I have to move fast, before they realize I'm gone.

The closet seat, it's my only chance to reach the window. I climb onto the cold seat, my hands grasping the edge of the window frame as I pull myself up.

For a moment, I'm perched on the seat, my legs trembling with excitement and fear. I look out the window.

Shit… it's in this moment I realize how dumb my idea is. What was I thinking? That I'm some main character of some sorts?

How do I get down what looks like a two storey building.

But it's too late now. I've come this far. I take a deep breath, trying to shake off my doubts. I have to keep moving. I have to try.

I can't afford to let ma suffer from such heartache.

I push the window open, and a rush of cool air greets me. But as I look out, my heart sinks. Hell! I'm at least three stories up, maybe more. The ground below seems to stretch out endlessly, a distant, unforgiving expanse of black flooring.

My legs tremble like leaves as I take the first step outside. A wave of dizziness wash over me, my head spinning with the sheer height. My doubt solidifies, almost becoming a cold, hard certainty. What was I thinking? I'm not a climber, I'm not an escape artist. I'm just a scared, confused idiot.

I grip the window frame tightly, my knuckles white with fear, as I carefully lower myself down the side of the building.

My hands shake as I search for handholds, my feet scrambling for footholds. I'm all too aware of the ground far, far below me.

I shut my mind from the possibility of a fall or getting caught and focus on making my way down one step at a time, as silently as I can and as fast as possible. Nearing the bottom, my heart cuts as my foot slips, and I land, bruising my knee.

“Hmmm!” I bite back a cry of pain, my teary eyes glancing around nervously. But there's no shout, no alarm. The silence is almost unbelievable.

Quickly I scramble to my feet, testing my weight on the bruised knee. It throbs in protest, but I know I have to keep moving. Far ahead, there's a large gate and I hastily make my way to it, expecting to see security guards or cameras. But there's no one. The gate is unguarded, swinging open with a soft creak the moment I push it.

I slip through the gate and take off in a painful sprint, my eyes fixed on the road ahead. I don't dare look back until I've put some distance between myself and the mansion. Finally, I glance over my shoulder, catching a glimpse of the white mansion's imposing facade one last time.

It's bigger than any house I've seen but that's irrelevant where the danger it poses lies.

I push on, my heart pounding with determination. “I'm coming, mom” I say to the wind, hoping it carries my message to the only family I've got left.

After an eternity of running on rough ground, my bare feet begin to feel like they're on fire, the skin burning and blistering with every step. I finally stop, gasping for much needed breath, as I take a moment to assess my situation.

I don't know where I am. I glance around, trying to get my bearings. I've been running down this long, winding street for what feels like miles. If I can just link up with a main road, I might be able to find my way back home.

But all around me looks like a forest save the large road I've been on. A road I can't see an end to.

As I stand there, catching my breath and trying to clear my head, I start to pick up on the sound of chatter, accompanied by the rumble of a moving vehicle. My heart skips a beat as I realize that someone - or something - is heading in my direction.

Finally!

I wave my arms wildly, hoping to flag down the approaching vehicle. The car slows to a stop, and for a moment, I feel a surge of relief. Maybe these people can help me, maybe they can take me to safety.

But then I get a better look at the men sitting inside, and my relief turns into dread. They're rough-looking, with full body tattoos. What really gets me is their eyes and how it seems to gleam with a wickedness that makes my skin crawl.

I take a step back, my heart racing with fear, realizing too late that I've made a terrible mistake. The men's faces split into cruel grins as they leap out of the car, their eyes fixed on me with a hungry gleam.

I turn and run, feet pounding the pavement as I race away from the men. From behind me I can hear their laughter, their shouts, as they give chase. My breath comes in ragged gasps. I don't dare look back, fearing what I might see.

Knowing what I will see.

Just as I think I've escaped the first group of men, I see another car driving towards me from the opposite direction. I try to bend and dodge, but my legs are weak from running and I trip and fall. Falling on my shoulder, I land hard on the pavement, crying out in pain.

Before I can even try to get back up, my head yanks back as I'm grabbed by my hair.

“HELP!!!” I scream in fear and pain, my scalp burning from the rough grip.