She stood there. Her dress was swaying with the wind, and her long brown hair was moving around in every direction. Flashes off red reflected on her face from the sirens below. At first it was peaceful and calm, but now she was afraid. A man gripped her around her middle and yanked her off the ledge of the building. He was wearing a police uniform. He walked her down all of the stairs telling her things, but she wasn’t listening. They walked outside and everyone rushed around her. She tried to get away but the man had her in a tight grip. He helped her up into an ambulance and shut the doors. There was a woman in there. She held her hand and talked to her.
“It’ll be all right.” She said. “We’re going to get you some help.” After a few minutes of silence the woman spoke again. “What’s your name, dear?”
“M-Mallory.” she said quietly.
“Ok Mallory. We’re here. The doctors just have to do a few tests to see if you’re ok. Then they’ll take you home.” Mallory looked at her with big eyes.
“No! Please! Don’t take me back there!” Just then, they stopped moving. Two men opened the doors.
“You’ll be fine. Don’t worry.” She smiled and the men took her.
She woke up in a small white room. He was looking down at her and smiling.
“You gave us quite a scare, Mally.” He stroked her face with the back of his hand. She pushed it away and whimpered.
“Don’t call me Mally.” She breathed. She sat up and spotted Tammy in the chair in the corner, asleep. “Where’s Lilah?”
“Look. Mallory. Lilah ran away last night. I’m sorry.” She looked at him with such hatred and disgust.
“You’re lying.”
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me. You are lying. What did you do to her?”
“Mallory, I know this is hard, but please don’t blame me.”
“No…you didn’t…” She looked at him and started crying. “I can’t believe you!” She shouted.
“What? What’s wrong?”
“You killed her! Now you’re after me!” Mallory jumped out the bed and ran out of the room screaming. He ran after her. Two doctors grabbed her and tried to calm her down. She screamed at the top of her lungs when he walked up to them.
“Is this your daughter?” one of the two doctors asked.
“Yeah she-“
“No! I am not! He’s a murderer! He’s gonna kill me!” She struggled in their grip.
“Sir, if you don’t mind.” The doctor said.
“Well I do. I’m not going anywhere.” Mallory screamed again.
“Sir. You’re making her upset. Please.”
“No! I won’t.”
“This is no longer a request. It’s an order. Go to the waiting room or be removed.” He muttered something and walked towards the waiting room. Mallory was breathing hard and still crying.
“It’s alright he’s gone now. Dr. Johnson, I think you can go now.” He said to the other doctor and walked her back to her room.
“So, Mallory, is it?” She nodded. “Do you want to tell me who that man was?”
“He-He’s my foster dad.”
“Oh. So where are your real parents?”
“I dunno. We got in a big crash. Only me and Lilah made it out.”
“And who is Lilah?”
“She was my little sister.”
“Was? What happened?”
“They said she ran away, but Lilah would never run away. He killed her. I know it.”
“He, being your foster dad?”
“Yes. Now he’s trying to kill me.”
“Did he really try and kill you?”
“No…but I know he will.”
“Well, if he hasn’t done anything then we can’t do anything.” He grabbed a piece of paper and scribbled a number on it. “This is my office number. If he tries anything, you tell me.”
“I don’t want to go back. Please. Don’t take me back.”
“I’m sorry, but he’s in charge of you.” That moment he came in and threw some clothes on the bed.
“Doctor. If you don’t mind. She needs to get dressed.” He walked out and the doctor followed. She could hear them talking still as she pulled on a pair of jeans.
“I never caught your name.” The doctor said.
“It’s Jeff.”
“Well Jeff, take care of her. She’s a special girl.” She woke Tammy up and then walked out of the room.
“Ready to go Mally?” He said, smiling.
“Don’t call me Mally.” She said and walked down the hall.
He opened the door and walked in. Mallory stepped in the house then took a few steps back. It smelled strongly of bleach.
“What did you do in here?” she asked, as she slowly walked in.
“Spring cleaning.” He growled.
“But it’s November…”
“It’s none of your business.” He snapped. She walked up the stairs and went into her room. Lying on her bed, she looked at the ceiling and let her tears pour freely. He walked in and slammed the door behind him.
“What were you thinking?” He yelled.
“Wha-what do you mean?
“You thought you were gonna be rescued? He smacked her across the face. She put her hand to her cheek and grabbed the phone. She dialed the doctor’s number and started to call. He ripped the phone out of her hand and threw it.
“The police can’t help you!”
“Hello. Doctor Anders’ office. How can I help you?” He could hear an angry voice in the background.
“…worthless! You’ll never…” He heard other curses and screams.
“Hello?” A man’s voice came from the other line.
“Yes. This is Doctor Anders. I was called. Is everything alright?”
“Everything is fine.” He heard him curse and a few loud bangs. Then a thud.
“Thanks for checking on us. But we’re fine.” Then the man hung up.
