THE ANGEL IN HER

Chapter 1

Cold as usual.

Same space but cold and empty.

Noelle sat on the creaking bed, her back clutched to the hard wall that held her pain, tears and anguish.

She sat like a fugitive, awaiting her death sentence.

Hands rested on her knees and head leaned to the wall.

Her frail body sat still like time had stopped for her. Noelle could only stare into space by looking at the endless ceiling.

Her eyes was hollow in the dark. It was filled in despair, frustration and misery.

You can't see it but you can feel it.

It oozes around her like a stench that can never be rid of with a soap lather.

—

She was just five when it all started.

Noelle found her way into this warm family.

A home she could feel safe, loved and protected.

At first, it was great.

A good life, Noelle had always wanted for herself or even anyone.

She was pampered, extremely loved and cherished by her wonderful parents.

Noelle was adopted but it never felt like it when she stepped into that home.

Until…

The real child returned.

—

Her good memories about the past were interrupted when she heard footsteps walking to her door.

She stood up immediately and hid further into the darkness. Hiding like a wounded animal hiding from its prey.

Noelle watched keenly from the dark, awaiting for an opportunity to escape.

All this while, she has been planning her escape out of his hell hole.

She held her breath— waiting as the footsteps stopped at her door.

Anxiety kicked in.

The tension to do the impossible overwhelmed her.

Maybe it was time to fight back.

The door made a clunking sound since it was a steel door. It opened after a hard pull and light found its way through the dark.

The more the light illuminates the room, Noelle hides further.

A part of her wanted to escape even if it would cost her life.

It was better dying outside than inside this shit hole.

The other part was contemplating if it was going to be possible.

But the only way is to find out about her fate today.

A big shadow slipped into the room.

It was a man.

She recognised the man.

The same person who locked her there for 10 years.

A small fear took over her will.

It was going to be impossible to escape.

Her frail, weak body would limit her.

But, Noelle was ready to try her luck— if she had one.

With determination and a stamina she could muster in her mind, Noelle held the weapon she had made from her bed and charged at him swiftly and silently.

The man didn't know of her plans, got hit on the head which sent him to the ground.

Noelle wasted no time to confirm her strike. He wasn't moving at least before she left the room.

She took to her heels and ran as fast as she could.

Panting heavily as her mind revelled on only one thing— FREEDOM.

It was hard running through the stony stairs. The light from the bulbs made it impossible for her to see properly.

She was already used to the dark and it was quite difficult finding her way around.

Noelle made her way out of the basement with her bare feet and ragged clothes that barely covered her skin. A place that was once a prison for her.

No time to look back at the hell hole underneath the house.

It was a matter of life and death.

Noelle slowly opened the door and looked through to see if it was clear.

Luckily, there was no one passing by the hallway.

She had calculated and mapped her way out. If she can remember the way from 10 years ago, it would be less difficult for her to escape.

With one slip, Noelle was running through the hallway, finding her escape route.

Memories started rushing in.

Those happy ones, she holds dear to herself.

A solace for her sanity.

The giggles, laughters and the sweet aroma of jasmine tea which was her favourite flooded her mind.

The house was warm and colorful.

For the first time in years, she could feel how warm it was again.

But it doesn't matter anymore.

All she can focus on is her escape.

A familiar nostalgic smell hit her nostrils. Noelle sniffed as she ran, even if she can't remember the exact place, her nose was sensitive enough to figure it out for her.

The smell made her stop by a door.

Then, a memory flashed through.

She always used this door to play hide and seek with her nannies then. It was so hard to find her when she was little and the secret part is that it also leads to the back gate.

A sigh of relief left her mouth and without hesitation, she opened the door and slipped through before her captor could make his way into the hallway searching for her with a bleeding head.

Truthfully, Noelle was right.

It led her to the back gate.

Though it was locked.

Noelle decided to climb through.

There was no time to be discouraged.

If she got caught, it was going to be the end of her.

Her slender legs made it through the gate and she jumped down with one thud.

Alas!!!

Freedom.

The cold wind hit her exposed skin and hurt her feet.

It was perfect—- She muttered under her breath.

The soft soil melted away into her dirty feet giving her a warm feeling.

This was the first time she had seen the night sky and the moonlight.

Though, there wasn't enough time to reminisce about the past.

She was still in the danger zone.

Noelle took to her heels running into the dark.

A feeling she could relate to very well.

Her sight was enhanced and her sense was at its peak.

The dark made her bolder and faster as she ran in the woods to nowhere in question.

—

“She did what?” The voice asked in a thunderous voice, throwing the wine glass which shattered in front of the man.

He flinched in fear but quickly hide his emotions and returned into a stern gaze.

“She escaped—”

“And you let her leave.” The voice said again, making his way to him.

“No, she overpowered me. She had a weapon.” The man defended, holding his wounded head as evidence to his claim.

The man laughed absurdly like a maniac who just left the asylum.

His wife could only sigh when her husband did that.

“So you mean that she had a weapon? Someone who has been locked up in this house for years, strictly supervised and you are telling me that she had a WEAPON!!!” The husband yelled at him.

The room echoed to his loud audacious voice. His eyes held great frustration and disappointment .

“I will find her and bring back. She mustn't have gone far.” The man assured and walked out of the room.

“You better find her and bring her back unless you want to be 6ft to the ground!” The husband threatened.

The man known as Mr Dowell paced around the room anxiously. His hands shoved into his pockets as he tried to calm down.

Thick sweat slides down from his cheeks. Tension overwhelmed him and he couldn’t stop pacing around.

He was afraid.

Not because she escaped and might be in danger.

But because he was the one in danger.

“ David, Rowan will find her. She can't find her way anywhere. Calm down.” His wife, Rebecca assured with a weak smile.

David stopped pacing and turned his gaze to his wife who was quite frightened by his intense stare.

“Do you know what is on the line? My life— your life, infact our lives are at stake unless we give Mr Stark what he wants— OUR DAUGHTER!” He yelled at her.

“Which daughter? Don't tell me he is requesting OUR own daughter, David?” Rebecca asked with anger in her eyes.

David couldn't say anything and continued pacing around. His wife screamed at him, weeping and begging to change the offer.

She couldn't afford to lose her daughter again.

“That is why I want to give him the other ONE!” He yelled out of frustration.

“Noelle?” Rebecca asked amidst tears unable to connect the reason.

“Yes and that is why she needs to be found before next month.” He ordered and walked out of the room.

His wife, Rebecca, was stunned. She couldn't understand how it was going to be possible to handle her to him.

—

Noelle ran through the woods.

Stumbling and falling.

But it never stops her.

Just one more climb, freedom awaits for her like a child waiting for her mother on the other side.

Just one more climb— she told herself.

She grunted in pain, tiredness and climbed through the rocky hills. Her eyes lit up for the first time in a long time when she saw the road.

Freedom was finally here to take her away.

But….

Something blocked her path.

A big shadow.

A familiar voice cut through the night.

“Found you!”

Rowan stepped forward, blood dripping down his temple. A wicked smile twisting his face.

Noelle’s breath lodged in her throat. She crawled back, shaking her head, fingers clawing into the soil.

“No- no, please…”

He grabbed her arm and yanked her up effortlessly. She screamed but the woods swallowed her voice.

Her fists beat against him, her hairs scraped his skin,but nothing loosened his grip on her.

“Let me go!”

Her plea echoed, unanswered.

Rowan threw her over his shoulder like she weighed nothing.

“You should have stayed put!” He growled. “Now you are going to be in trouble with your father!”

Noelle froze.

“My father?”

The name hit her like an ice– a name she hadn't muttered in years.

The man who she once greatly admired.

“What….What does he want?” She whispered, her voice breaking.

Rowan didn't answer.

He simply walked deeper into the darkness.

And the darkness swallowed her again.