Don't Try to
Escape
by Catalina
Chapter One
I woke up to the bright morning light. I tried to smile but every single face muscle ached.
The memory of last night lingered in my mind, I winced and crept back under the covers. Daily nightmares, that's what I called this. If life is any scarier, I would be dead as well. I tried to push the horror away and let myself drowned in the sweet singing of the birds. But what's done is done. Thanks to the gang, the devils had left their trace on my mind.
"Zanna!" Mary's voice flowed into my room. I brushed away my bed cover and dangled my feet over my bed.
"I'm awake!" I called.
"Morning, sweetie!" Mary blew me a kiss as she bustled into my room.
Her presence always gave me a sense of comfort security. She was a my nurse, my guardian, my closest friend, the one I trust... And my substitution for my always-absent parents.
I hole out my arms to hug her. I breathed in her lavender scent and relaxed.
"Are mommy and daddy back yet?" I asked eagerly, looking up at her. I was too tired last night that I didn't bother looking for my parents. They were on a business trip, you see.
"I'm sorry, sweetie. But they aren't home yet. They called last night when you were out. They have decided to stay a few more days in Paris. You know, the usual stuff..."
"Did they ask for me?" Pain and pity washed over Mary's face.
"Well..."
The look in her eyes betrayed her words. I understood. The most factual thing I know about them was their forever absence. I spent every Christmas and birthday parentless. They were there, but far away. I buried my head in Mary chest. She tried to comfort me. My eyes burnt, of tears or of anger, I didn't know.
Of tears because I realized that my parents didn't love and care for me as other parents do. Of anger because they did not fulfill their job properly as parents.
They hadn't stay in parents because of business matters. They stayed just for pure leisure. Nothing else. They actually abandoned their only daughter for luxury. Amazing.
Tears spilled like a rushing river down my face. Mary wiped them away and hold my face in her hands.
Sometimes, I wished I could lead a more simple life. What was it about riches and beautiful face? Do you know what my birthday wish every year is? Wish my parents love me and spend more time with me.
"Now stop crying, honey. You still have visitors to handle," I stared at her with eyes wide. Visitors? This early in the morning? "A young man has been looking for you since six this morning. I told him to come back later in the afternoon but he said it's all right and that he'll wait. What a gentleman! Must have been urgent matters, too!" I gripped the sheets. "Oh Zanna, do hurry and get change. I will go prepare breakfast while you meet that gentleman."
"Okay, Mary," I managed to whisper shakily, and Mary left.
My face was pale by that time, I was sure. A young man. Needless to say, it is Jerry. He was coming back for revenge. He knew where I lived, everyone knew where the De Adrienne lived. We were the richest in this neighborhood!
I buried my face in my hands. A shiver went down my spine.
I had the right to worry, didn't I? Jerry and his gang could come and show up at my door anytime. They could kill me if they like. There's no stopping them. But why were they so against me? This was something I could never understand...
I stared out of the balcony at the beach. The memory of Jerry came rushing back to me again. My blood turned cold. I looked at the trees. I could see them slowly morphing into Jerry's menacing grin. Don't try to escape... There's nowhere to run... Don't Try to Escape... There is NOWHERE TO RUN..... The sneering words haunted my mind. I screamed.
"Zanna, are you all right?" Mary called.
"Yeah! I'm okay. Just saw a lizard! It's gone now!" I lied. Mary had enough troubles of her own without mine.
"Just hurry! That young man has been waiting for long enough!"
"I...I...I will go..." I managed to stutter out. Politeness can always do you good? Gimme a break! It's gonna kill me this time. I dragged myself away from my bed, get dressed.
I slowly walked down the grand staircase. I dragged every second that passed. Before I entered the greeting room, I stared down at my clothes, mother had taught me to dress appropriate, if not glamorous, whenever you meet anyone, preferably anytime, anywhere. I decided it was okay. Whom the hell gives when you were meeting Jerry Gerik, bastard of the century. I took a deep breath, recollected my speech, clenched my teeth and stepped in.
"What the hell are you doing here? Hadn't you got enough last night? You want me to shoot you dead? Blow your brains up? Jer--" My words hung in mid-air as I looked at my visitor for the first time.
~~Esperanza