Blake

"...97...98...99...100," I breathed heavily as I stood back on my feet. My torso area burned from the hundred of crunches I just did. I poked around my stomach, feeling satisfied with the firmness starting to develop.

For the past week I've been building the stamina I've never had. My body was covered in a thin sheen of sweat. On top of intense workouts, it didn't help that my room was a literal sauna.

I grabbed my jeans and tank off my bed and re-clothed myself. I heard Jace leave not too long ago, so I knew I was was in the clear. I slipped the folded photo of six year old Jace from between the lock and left my room. I frowned when I saw that the door next to mine was slightly cracked open.

I slowly pushed the door open with my fingertips. A desk sat in the far corner with Jace's black laptop sitting atop of it. A large empty dark wooded bookcase took up the whole other wall. There was also a screen door, exposing the beautiful greenery outside. I sharp gasp escaped me.

A flimsy screen door.

I walked toward the door and pushed in the lever. It's unlocked.

I stepped outside on an old wooden deck. The birds sang their usual tune and the sweet sun beamed on my face.

I smiled, the first genuine smile since I was taken. The first time I let fresh air fill my lungs.

But when I scanned over my surroundings, my smile faded. There was something stained on the wood. A red stain. I slowly bent down to get a closer look.

Blood.

"Oh god," I whispered, noticing multiple red faded splotches.

Run.

I shot up and stepped off the deck hastily. Something snapped under my foot. I brushed it off, thinking it was a small flimsy branch.

But I shifted my eyes to the ground anyway, and they bulged.

Remnants of bone were bestrewn all over the place.

I swept a portion of my hair behind my ear and bent down, running my fingertips over the dirt coated bones. I could hear my heart pound in my ears.

Looking even closer, there was what appears to be a chain buried in the dirt. I pulled on it, revealing a necklace. I shook it a bit to shake off the excess dirt.

The charm was heart shaped. I turned it over and my lips parted and eyes widened. A name was written elegantly in cursive along with the beautiful intricate designs.

Annalise.

"No" I whispered. "No no no."

I blinked several times to hold back the tears surge in the corners of my eyes. The sliver of hope I had that she was still alive was shattered. I unclipped the necklace and hooked it around my neck.

I never knew her, but I felt connected to her through her journal. She came alive through each entry.

I stood up and walked slowly, distraught from my discovery.

Why was that door already open? I stopped in my tracks when I really thought about it. It hit me like a brick - Jace always locks that door.

Always.

"He never left the house," I mumbled in realization.

Right then, a twig snapped behind me. I spun my body around to my face coming into contact with Jace's fist. He lifted me up, securing his arm tightly around my waist.

"Get off of me!"

My kicks and screams slowed him down as he took steps backward. He carelessly threw me to the ground once we were back in the office like room.

"How in God's name did you get out!"

I didn't answer. I laid on the floor, glowering at him.

Fight back, my mind urged.

"Answer me!" He swung his foot into my face. A deep red stream of blood began to drip from nose. I smeared the excess blood onto my jeans and stood up. 

My deep brown eyes met his angered ones. Then I lunged my fist at his nose, causing bhim to groan loudly.

He held his nose and looked at me, taken aback by my action. Regaining himself, his nostrils flared and eyes darkened. I darted out of the room, knowing he followed close behind.

I attempted to shut the door to buy myself time, but Jace got a firm hold on it, hindering me from closing it.

So I used all my might and slammed the door on his fingers. With adrenaline rushing through my body, I ran out into the open living area.

Before I could even fend for a weapon, he yanked at my long dark hair with great force. I stumbled backward to the ground. I was back to square one where I lay hopelessly on the ground and Jace towers over me.

"You think you can beat me B?!" He spread out his arms. "We can do this all day, with the same outcome. I win and you lose," He bitterly smiled, bringing his head closer to mine.

"Not today buddy," I shoved the bottom of my ragged converse into his face. I quickly stood to my feet and scurried to the kitchenette.

I opened multiple draws to find something, anything I could hurt him with. But Jace was too fast for me. He took hold of the back of my neck, pulling me backward.

He let go and his intimidating figure moved in front of me. Before I could even form a fist, his stone hard knuckles made way to my right eye. His large hand then hooked around my neck and bended me backward on the small wooden table.

He then effortlessly slid my small frame across it and I rolled off the end of table and hit the hard ground with a thump.

"Are we gonna go for round two?" He stood above me. The vision out of my right eye was blurred and distorted. I whimpered at the soreness coursing through my body.

"Yeah. I didn't think so," He chuckled at the end of his sentence. He grabbed my arm and my body dragged against the harsh flooring, worsening the pain.

"Now I don't know how you got out, but let this be a lesson to you. I already told you there is no leaving. Like I said, I will catch and torture you," Jace warned, and slammed my door.

I turned on my back with a grimace and stared at the ceiling.

I punched and kicked him right in the face, and maybe even caused his fingers to swell. I actually retaliated and it felt pretty good. Yes my plan fell through the cracks, but it was not going to stop me.

It's either I get out of here, or I die trying.

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A/N > yeeahh idk how I did on the action parts. hope I did good 😳🙏🏽

Votes/Comments are much appreciated xx

-kya h. ∞