Chapter 11 [Sam]

"Sam! Come down and have your breakfast!"

I groaned and shifted. Why wake me up so early in the morning? I was supposed to sleep and I even informed them that. I've been waking up early for four days in a row because of online classes and I finally got the weekend of yet they forgot my humble request of not waking me up. I blinked, trying to fix my blurry vision. It was only nine in the morning. I groaned loudly and covered myself with the blanket. I'll have breakfast later.

"Sam! Just come down already!"

"I'll have it later. Let me sleep some more!" I shouted back. There was silence once again. Finally, inner peace. I fell asleep again.

I woke up somewhere I couldn't recognize. It definitely wasn't my house nor was it my room. It couldn't have been my room because it was huge. I realized I was on the floor and so I sat up. The weather was warm but the floor was cold. I stood up slowly and did a full circle and stood there trying to process the whole scenario. Was I kidnapped? It can't be; I was too not-tied up to be kidnapped. I sat on the sofa that was right behind. Quite a luxury it was and looked pretty old. It seemed like antique but it was also very nicely kept and seemed very new. I guess the owner liked old things. The table in front of me was made of mahogany and the colour quite said it. I liked the different shades of browns it portrayed but I wished it was a brand new. I could've sniffed the smell of varnish. Damn it smelled good!

My nose picked up the scent I was looking for. I sniffed. The stingy scent of varnish was quite addicting and I guess that was why I liked it. "Why does it smell so good~" I said, all satisfied. I heard footsteps and yelped. Without hesitation, I dropped down, hiding behind the sofa. They were quick steps and I was sure they were coming my way. My heart beat faster that it usually did and they were so clear that I feared I was being too loud. I clenched my collar and waited, my eyes shut tightly. Someone dropped beside me. Her hands were familiar. It was Tyche's. What is she doing here? She was crouching right beside and yet she pretended that she didn't even notice me. How odd. I continued to stare at her. She looked different and she g=had a different wear. Didn't she tell me she can't change outfits?

Her hair was braided very neatly and her eyes seemed concerned. Was she hiding from someone? That seemed the case because she was peeking from the side of the sofa. I peeked from the other end of the sofa to the entrance of the room but there seemed to be no one.

I heard footsteps. They were shuffling down the hallway. "Tyche! Tyche! Come out now or you will face greater consequences! Come out right this moment!"

Someone was looking for her. I looked back at her. She was shaking and she looked so frightened. What should I do? I was invisible to her...can nobody see me? I looked back. The footsteps were now loud and very close. Think, Sam, think! What can you do?

They are here. They stopped. I could feel their eyes on me. Have they spotted us? "Tyche, I know you're here. My patience is very limited. Come out this instant or someone will get very hurt today!" The man at the door wasn't my favourite at all. Who does he think he is? And Tyche is almost at her twenties so he shouldn't even dare to touch her! He was approaching us and was very close. Tyche yelped. He stopped. She has been heard. I glanced at him and saw an evil grin on his face. What a monster.

I looked at Tyche. I was so helpless. By then I had already understood that no one could see me. My hands wanted to protect her from that cruel being. What should I do? Why must I be so helpless?

She looked at me. I couldn't bare that look on her face. Tears came running down her eyes and trickled down her cheeks. She was biting her lips and they were bleeding. I moved closer to her and my hands shook as I raised them. My body trembled and all I could do was stare at her. Why am I even here if I can't do anything?

I touched her cheek and a drop rolled over my hand. I can touch her but she can't even see me. The man was waiting, giving his prey just a little time before he devours her. She tried hard not to sniffle but her effort was useless because he already knew about her whereabouts. She clutched onto the sofa cover and closed her eyes shut. She knew she had nothing. I leaned in and hugged her. What else could I have done? I was helpless on my side as well. The footsteps moved and they were right on the spot. We were caught.

Moments passed. He just stood there. Why isn't he moving? His shoes brushed on the floor as if they took a turn and his feet moved, but away from us. I slowly raised my head and took a peak once again. There was no one…..

What happened? Weren't we on the verge of getting caught? What happened? Can someone please explain?

Tyche had her eyes closed. She didn't even dare to open them. Her breathe was fast against my chest and her body was still shaking. I ran my fingers over her hair but she felt nothing. I was fine with it; at least I was able to hide her. But I knew it was not for long. I leaned in again and kissed her forehead. It felt like a goodbye kiss....and it was one.

I was back.