The Last Laugh novel Chapter 12

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Little Heather's POV:

I sat on the floor right behind the basement's door, crying in total darkness. I was afraid and at the same time I felt horrible for Sheridan. Mom had turned into a monster. She wasn't harsh with us but with Sheridan. Only when he needed her most because of uncle Paul's and daddy's deaths. I'd always known mommy was strict but I didn't know she could be this heartless. My love and respect for her had reduced. At this tender age. I began to slightly hate her.

After mom had locked me up, I hadn't bothered to go down the stairs that led to the bottom of the basement. I'd remained right behind that door. I hated the dark and plus thoughts of what could be happening to Sheridan frustrated me. I cried and cried.

When I began to quiet down, I heard Rob come into the house shouting mom's name. I tried to listen from the other side of the door.

"Christina! Christina!"

"Yes?? What is it?" I heard her come into the room. Then I heard her gasp. "Oh my god! Sawyer! What happened?? Give her to me!"

Sawyer? What had happened to her?

"On returning with the bees I met her laying motionless in the hay. Her cheek is red. Seems like the little bastard slapped her and she went unconscious. Here, carry her..."

I gasped. Sheridan had slapped Sawyer? It was a shock to me. Sheridan was always so nice and tolerating. If he had slapped Sawyer, that meant he was more than furious!

"He slapped her?! HOW DARE HE! I'll teach him more than a lesson!"

Oh, no. How much pain would Sheridan undergo? If mom wasn't careful, he was going to die. The thought gave me goosebumps and tears soon rolled down my cheeks again.

"That won't be possible." Rob's statement made me wonder. I stopped crying and listened attentively.

"And why??"

"He's escaped."

The words echoed in my head like a dream. Sheridan had escaped? My mouth dropped open.

"HE'S WHAT??"

"Escaped."

"I heard you, you idiot! But how??"

"I noticed one of the horses were missing. He took the white horse."

Dove!

"We have to find that little brat!"

"You don't have to worry Christina."

"Can I know why??"

"His hometown is about three to four hours from here. He'll never make it. Plus, the horse might desert him and he'd die of hunger."

"What makes you so sure?"

"We hardly fed him. He was too weak. Plus, he has wounds and bruises. He's not in a good state Christina. He'll get lost very soon. You wanted to get rid of him, there, nature helped you."

"Hm. You're right. I hope some wild animal eats him."

Despite the wicked things my mom had just said, I still believed in Sheridan. He wasn't a weak boy. He was strong. After the maltreatment and starving he went through, he didn't pass out or stop working even once. I knew he would survive out there and come back for me.

Suddenly, someone opened the door. Mom.

"I guess you heard our conversation. Your friend has escaped. Happy?" she asked dryly.

I looked at her without saying a word.

"Go to your room. It's already one Am."

I ran past her and went straight to my room.

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Little Sheridan's POV:

The chirping of birds and the bright morning sun woke me up the next day. I rubbed my eyes and sat up.

"Ouch." I complained, touching my back. I'd slept on the rough Forest's floor, on the dry autumn leaves and rough little stones, under a tree.

I looked around me at the woods and smiled. I'd succeeded in running away. I looked at Dove which I'd tied to a tree trunk. I stood up and limped my way to her. My whole body still hurt. I had no shoes on, my T-shirt was torn and my shorts were really dirty. My hair was a mess. I was dirty. I had bruises and wounds everywhere. Almost all parts of my body were red, black and blue. I had wounds under my feet too. As if that wasn't enough, Rob had beaten me with such rage that at a point, he used the heavy iron part of his belt and hit me hard on the knee. I believed he'd slightly dislocated it and now I was limping.

"Hey, beautiful." I said, caressing the horse's mane, "I guess our journey ends here. I have to fight to survive in these woods. And I'm to weak to fight for your survival too."

I limped my way to the trunk where I untied her.

"You go back home now. I guess you know the way back. Thanks for helping me escape." I hugged the horse, "Go home. Take good care of Heather for me. I'll– I'll be back." I smiled at it.

"I hope. I don't even know if I'll survive. I won't be negative though. God, dad and uncle Ken are watching over me. Bye." I hugged Dove tight one last time. I let go the rope and watched the horse gallop away as fast as possible.

When it'd disappeared into the woods, I turned and began limping away in the opposite direction . I had to find a cave or a place where I could stay. I was lost in these woods but I didn't care. It was still better than aunt Christina's place.

To me, my escape was the biggest luck of my life. If I'd been caught, I would probably be dead.