Ruby slowly opened her eyes, her cheeks were swollen, and she felt immense pain all over her over her body. She slowly analysed her environment and realised that she was in a different room with no escape route. She glanced around and saw that Christabel was also in the room. Their hands were tied again, and this time, it was even tighter. She glared at Christabel in hatred. She had always disliked her, and what she did this time made her dislike her more. Christabel felt her gaze and turned to her. then she said nonchalantly
" Why are you giving me that gaze? It is your fault in the first place. Don't think of pushing any blame on me. You were trying to save yourself, and I was trying to save mine. "
Ruby was extremely angry. Christabel had no shame for whosoever. She wanted to curse her, but her cheeks hurt so much that she couldn't speak. She could only glare at her. Christabel saw her suffering and was about to speak when the door opened. They both shrank in fear, especially Ruby. She knew how hostile and rough this man could be even to children. The man entered with a smug face. He stared at both children and said
" Good news, kids, your parents are on their way here. put on your best expression ever and smile. make them know that I've been treating you both very well. And also.... "
His expression darkened as he continued, his eyes mainly on Ruby, and he omited a terrifying aura
" Don't you dare try to pull out any sort of tricks on me, or else, you will not live to see tomorrow's sunrise nor the face of your parents."
Ruby wanted to say
" In here, we already do not see the sunrise. What difference would it make?"
But she kept her mouth shut. She was already feeling dizzy and didn't wish to experience any more assault. But again, hearing that her dad was on the way made her excited. He cared about her after all.
All of a sudden,the man shocked them by confidently removing the ropes around their wrists. He said
" Now let's see who dares try to escape."
With that, he turned around and went. They both knew it was a warning. Well, of course, none of them would try to run, especially after they heard that their parents were on the way.
....
Christabel and Ruby were sitting on the floor, still waiting for their parents. Surprisingly, the man who had kidnapped them hadn't shown up after several hours. He had just brought food, and just like that, he never came again. Both children were immersed in their own thoughts, each not wanting to talk to the other. As they were still immersed in their own thoughts, Ruby, who was about to lie on the ground, suddenly sat up right and whispered urgently
" Do you sense the smell of smoke?"
Christabel was about to refuse when her expression changed as she said
" Yes.....smoke. Where is it coming from..."
She stopped in her tracks as her gaze fell on the door. the smoke was coming into the room through the thin spaces in the door. Christabel quickly rushed to the door agitatedly and opened it with all her might and Surprisingly, the door easily opened. The only thought that came in mind was that the door wasn't locked, but why was the door not locked. Ruby walked to her, and her heart sunk at the scene in front of her. The whole corridor was filled with smoke that blurred their vision, and as the door was opened, the smoke gushed into the room quickly as if waiting for the perfect opportunity.
Christabel, upon recalling the route when the kidnapper was taking them to another room, quickly said
" Follow me."
Ruby quietly followed her, and they passed through the corridor, but it was a difficult task since the smoke was so condensed that they began coughing violently on the way, especially Ruby, who had weak lungs. As they were moving forward, heading towards their destination, they finally saw the fire. After all, there was no smoke without fire. The fire was also spreading quickly through the house like fire in the harmattan season. They run this time, afraid that they might be burnt. Then they saw the main door. the door to their ultimate freedom. Christabel opened the door and stepped out, urging Ruby to hurry up, but Ruby was almost out of breath and tired due to her earlier assault. She fell down, almost fainting.
Christabel was shocked. Even though she hated Ruby, she wouldn't want her to die, at least not so early. She was about to get back and help her out when a large and tall burning wood fell from the ceiling to the front of the door. This blocked the way and Christabel wasn't willing to risk her life for Ruby. Besides, she couldn't jump over the burning wood but Ruby seemed to be suffering. She suddenly fell onto her knees as she felt the smoke in her lungs. Just then, they heard the sound of cars approaching. Then Christabel saw her parents getting out from one of the cars and rushing towards her. She fell to her father's arms and she heard his anxious voice
" Chrissy, are you ok?"
She weakly nodded her and heard, glad that her parents were in. Her mother said anxiously
" Oh my child, are you sure you are ok? Don't you feel any pain anywhere?"
Before she could answer, she felt her father hug her tightly and say
" Oh God, I thought I would lose you, thank heavens that you are safe."
Meanwhile, Ruby was lying in the pool of fire. Through her hazy vision, she saw her dad holding Christabel. She yelled with all her might
" Dad, dad..... help me. "
" Help me .....aaaaaah... I'm.....I'm.....burning help me dad "
But even after yelling so much, no one minded her. She was lying helplessly on the floor, unable to move, and felt the hot fire seeping through her body, especially her face. She was in agonising pain as she felt her face slowly burning. Her father was just a few meters away from her. He could easily save her, but it seemed she was totally forgotten. She smiled bitterly on the floor, Christabel was not the only one kidnapped. She was also a victim, but it seemed she didn't even exist. Earlier on she wanted to escape on her own because she knew no one would come to save her but when the kidnapper said that thier parents were on the way, she couldn't ignore the hope and excitement in her heart. She thought, maybe her father had finally recognised her, but she only made a huge joke out of herself. Christabel was the reason why they probably came. if it was for her, perhaps she would have been dead by now. What kind of cruel world is this. Slowly, as she struggled, she passed out.
Meanwhile, Christabel also passed out in her father's arms, and they panicked, thinking of what to do. Just as they were putting her in the car, a police man who had come with them asked curiously
" Sir, I thought two of your children were kidnapped. Where is the other one?"
Mr. Evans was panic-stricken as he heard the police words. he suddenly remembered that he had another daughter and turned his head searching frantically for Ruby. He said, almost yelling like a lunatic
" Ruby, where's she. Where is Ruby "
The police officers stared at him incredulously with the same thought running through thier mind
" Is he a father. What kind of father is he?"