Chapter 1 -
I awoke with a start, not quite sure if I knew where I was. I rubbed my eyes roughly and glanced around the room, taking in my surroundings. I was sure of it now, I was lost.... somewhere I'd never seen before. The musty smell of the room filled my nostrils as I inhaled deeply. I rubbed my left side gingerly as sharp pains shot through my ribs. I couldn't even remember how I had gotten here, who had brought me to this awful place.
I looked around again, looking for anything that might tell me where I was. I was in a small room, no paint on the walls, a small table sat in the far right hand corner, and a toilet on the left side. A single mirror hung above that and a small sink a little farther to the left and a door on the right wall.
I was getting frustrated now. I couldn't begin to imagine what was going to happen to me. What kind of person would put me in a place like this? What had I done to deserve this?
I glaced up once more as someone walked into the room. A dark figure.... looming in the shadows. I could feel it's dark eyes boring into me like an ice pick through my head.
"Who..... who are you? What do you want from me?" I squeaked.
"Do not speak unless spoken to. You will address me with proper respect, child." The voice boomed in my ears.
I nodded and sat up straight.
"Who do you think I am, and what do you think I want from you?" The voice asked.
"I'm not sure. I don't know what you want."
"Oh Taylor, of course you know what I want. I want what everyone else wants from you." The voice mocked.
"I'm not sure I understand."
"Well, let me see. You're famous, first off. So I guess you should have asked how much money I wanted so I would spare your life. I guess that thought never crossed your mind." The voice chuckled.
"But, why would you want me dead? I just don't understand what I did wrong." I said as the tears threatened to spill over.
"You were born. But don't worry Taylor, I'll make it all go away. I'll make the world forget about you."
"But I don't wanna die. Please, I'll do anything you ask of me. I'll give you anything! Please, just don't kill me." I cried as I fell to my knees in front of the dark figure. I grasped whatever my hands could reach and finally clutched onto the dark robe that the 'Shadow' wore.
"Begging isn't very becoming of you. You're used to getting your way, and that must stop! You are pitiful and you should have never been born into this world! You are everything that's wrong with this world today!" The voice hollered.
"Please, I am at your mercy! I beg of you to spare my life! I'll give you anything, ANYTHING!" I hollered.
"Anything? Well..... there is something else that I want Taylor. Are you willing to give it to me?"
"Yes, anything you want! I swear it.. I'll give you anything!" I cried as I glanced up at the looming figure that stood over me.
"Hmm, good. What I want is......."
I snapped my eyes open and glanced around me quickly. I was safe in my room again. I could hear snoring which meant Zac was still fast asleep in the room next door and I could hear mumbling in the other room. That meant Isaac was having some sort of dream and talking to himself in his sleep.
I sat up quickly and ran my shaky hands through my hair. I was drenched in sweat and I felt as if I was going to throw up. That awful dream again..... that God awful dream! It was happening more and more as the day approached. The day I would have to keep up my end of the bargain. The debt would have to be paid for my freedom, for my life. But how could I do it? How could I keep that promise? I wasn't sure I could do what I had said..... not even for the price I knew would have to be paid if I didn't do it! I would die if I didn't do it..... but how could I do it? How could I bring myself to kill?!
