“I’ll never tell you,” Mom spat, her voice filled with venom. 

“We will find them, with or without you.” I heard the man's voice again, and a gasp of pain from my mom. 

“Find them,” said the woman's voice again. Her words echoed in my mind, over and over again, filling my mind with dread. Find them, find the, find them, find-

“Oh, hello.” 

I was yanked out of my thoughts by the man's voice. I looked down to the bottom of the staircase, seeing him staring up at me. He must have been around 5’8, his amber eyes had a hint of hunger. He was looking at me like a predator who had just found his prey. 

Run. My mind spoke, but my legs refused to move as I watched him slowly make his way up the stairs towards me, as if taunting me. 

Once he was an arms distance away from me my legs started to finally listen to my brain and I started to run in the direction of the bathroom. 

There is a window in there that we opened to let some air in. Right outside of it, a tree has a branch that I can jump onto and get to the ground. If I can make it to the bathroom-

I put on a burst of speed as I grew closer and closer to the bathroom. The man was gaining on me, his long legs gave him an advantage in this race. I got into the bathroom and slammed the door closed, locking it. 

That won’t keep them out. Not for long. I need to keep going. I was gasping for air, but I pushed myself to keep going. I ran to the other side of the bathroom, opening the window all the way as I managed to slip my body out of it and onto the branch. My hands clutched onto the wood, splinters sliding into my hands and feet. I climbed down the tree slowly, making sure to test the places I put my hands and feet before moving onto the next one. 

Hurry up. Once my feet made contact with the ground, I started to run. I didn't know where I was going, all I knew is I needed to get out of there. I hadn't had time to get shoes on, so I was running in just my socks. Every step I could feel all the sticks, rocks and debris that was under the thin layer of snow that had started to fall onto my small suburban town in Montana. 

As I continued to run, I was gasping for air. My arms and legs were frozen, I was wearing a short sleeve t-shirt and shorts, which gave me no protection from the biting cold. I spotted the forest I was running towards and I put on a burst of speed.

I just need to get to the forest. They won't be able to follow me there. A bright light made me stop and turn around. A van. I continued my run, putting every ounce of energy I had left into getting into that forest. It was no use. The van drove in front of me, cutting me off. I stopped, and let out a defeated scream. 

Before I knew it, I was in the back of the van, my arms and legs tied up. I took a look around, seeing around eight or nine other kids, all ages, the youngest looking  six and the oldest looking fourteen. There were a few armed men sitting on seats above us. All of the kids, including me, were placed with our backs facing the bench and the ropes around our hands were tied to rings that hung off it. The van was tight, we were shoulder to shoulder.

On my right I spotted a small girl, who couldn’t be more than eight years old. Her fearful expression reminded me of Rose. My mind wandered back to my sister. 

I hope she's okay. I don’t know where I am, but all I know is that it's not good. I looked to my left, spotting a fourteen year old boy. He seemed to be the oldest of us all, but he didn't look scared. He looked..defiant? I scanned everyone else, checking their faces for a familiar one. No Rose.

She is safe. I sat still, trying to learn any way that these men have weaknesses, how to get out of here safely. 

After careful observation I realized that they were forcing the kids to eat this pill. My eyes locked onto it. Blue cap. White pill. One of the adults, the man that had chased me in my home, walked over to me, his eyes shining with that sadistic smile he had given me before. 

“Hey kid. Take this.” He handed me the pill he had given all the other kids. I ignored his outstretched hand, and he looked at me, frustrated, 

“Take it willingly or I will force it down your throat. The second one is more fun for me. Which would you prefer, kid?” I took the pill from his hand, and looked at it. 

It probably won’t kill me. Right? After a minute I ate it. Slowly my memories, my entire life, flashed before my eyes.

Hanging out with Mom, eating homemade sushi.

Having sleepovers with my sister, hanging out and having Mom paint our nails as we watched a movie.

Playing hide and seek with Dad, hearing him yell out jokes, trying to make me laugh so he could find me easier. 

Having my mom making pancakes with strawberries and whipped cream on top, and not telling Dad because he considers it “unhealthy”. 

When I was with Rose and we were staring at… a cougar? No… tiger? No… panther?... I can't remember—I—I CAN’T REMEMBER. 

Slowly my mind grew blank, and no matter how hard I tried I couldn’t remember my family, or their names..

My mind continued to spiral before everything just went blank. 

What’s my name again?

Story by- that unkown writer

Published by- powerful like a girl