Sally opened her eyes and glanced over at Riley, hoping she had woken up. But Riley was fast asleep and snoring soundly. Sally sighed and lay back down. Outside the world was dark and still, but Sally couldn’t relax; she didn’t want to relax. She didn’t want to sleep and dream of horrors. She wanted to stay awake and enjoy her new life.
She rolled over and nestled herself up close to Riley. She closed her eyes and listened to Riley’s soft breathing. Soon she would be able to understand her sister. Soon, they could be as close as Sally had always wanted to be. All those years ago, she had been taken away from Riley. Those memories were faint and blurry now. Sally couldn’t remember anything from that time clearly. But she remembered hearing Riley’s voice. She knew the stern, soft, instantly recognizable voice of her sister. The years and years had gone by. They had spent years alone and apart.
Now, at last, they could be together without any fear of separation. Sally was nine and Riley was twelve. They had both already grown so much. But there was still time. Riley let out a soft grunt in her sleep and stirred. Sally took her hand gently, so as not to wake her.
“Shhh,” Sally hissed softly. Riley didn’t need to worry anymore. Every little thing was going to be alright. Alright… alright…
Sally’s mind began to wander, and her body began to relax. It began to mix with memories of what had happened in real life. Then it all faded away as sleep took over Sally’s mind. Now Sally was no longer tucked into bed next to her sister. She was miles and miles away.
Sally was locked in a small dark room. She had been there for a very long time. There were tears in her eyes and there was pain in her heart. But the pain wasn’t only in her heart. It was also burning all across her left arm. Her mouth too was filled with a pain worse than anything she could have ever imagined. It burned and scorched all through her. But it was more so the pain in her heart that brought tears to her eyes. Why?
Why had she been punished like this? All she had wanted to do was help her sister. Riley wasn’t happy here, so she had helped her. She had told her about the hatch in the garden. Did she really deserve this much pain? Was there any way to make the pain stop? Oh! How it burned! How dark everything was. How dark and how lonely. Sally had lost track of time.
Every once in a while, someone would come by to feed her. But they never spoke to her. They didn’t even look at her. But these were the people who Sally loved. She had thought that they loved her too. Well, she had been wrong. Riely had been missing for a while now. Riely was probably struggling too.
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But it was hard for Sally to feel any sympathy for Riley. Why had Riley left her alone to suffer like this? Sally never should have helped her. But Sally felt anger towards the lady above all other people. Why? She had done this to Sally. Sally had loved the lady with all her heart. She had trusted her, and this was what she had been given in return. Fresh tears filled Sally’s eyes. Sally slumped to the floor in a pool of misery.
She could hear footsteps now, coming softly down the hall. They were faint, light footsteps. Probably someone coming to give Sally her dinner. Sally closed her eyes and tried to shut the sound out. It would be no use trying to talk to the visitor. They would just ignore her like everyone else. Besides, she didn’t feel like eating. Sally hadn’t felt like eating for a very long time. The door swung open.
“Sally?” A voice said. Sally smiled. It felt so good to hear someone say her name again. It felt so good that Sally didn’t even recognize the voice. “Sally!” The voice said more sharply. Sally sat bolt upright. There stood Riley. Now joyful tears filled her eyes. Was this real? Riley had come back for her.
She took Sally’s hand and pulled her out into the hall. Sally flew through halls, gripping her sister’s hand as tightly as she could. Joyful tears were destroying her vision, and the pain grew with every single step. But there was a deep joy rising up in her little heart. She wasn’t alone. She hadn’t been left behind. They burst out into the garden. Sally savored the cool open air on her face and the sweetness of the night. Freedom was within her grasp.
“Stop them!” A sharp voice called out from behind them. Just like that, Sally’s joy shattered into a million little pieces.
Suddenly, the darkness vanished, and Sally felt a hand being pressed to her cheek. She opened her eyes. As the terror of the dream melted away, she caught sight of Lisa standing above her. Riley stood at her side with a look of concern on her face. Sunlight was pouring in through the windows, filling the bedroom with gold. A gasp of fear, mixed with sudden relief, escaped Sally. She was covered with sweat and tears and was all tangled up in the blankets, but she was safe. Calm washed over her as she leaned back. Riley was talking to her now. She couldn’t understand a word that she was saying, but it sounded kind and soothing.
“Are you okay?” Lisa spoke softly. But Sally could understand her words. She nodded. Yes, things were okay. It was nothing more than a dream. She sat up and wrapped her arms around Lisa’s waist. Why did she have to sleep? Sleep brought nothing but fear. Why couldn’t she stay awake and play forever?
“Are you hungry? Let’s go have breakfast,” Lisa said. Sally nodded and followed her down the hall. The last of the night’s terror faded into the morning light with the scent of bread and oatmeal.