The Dawn of Realization.

Thirteen. end.

         It had been hours since Uncle Rich left me tied to the chair in my dad's old office. Night had fallen and the building was dark and silent. I had screamed and picked and struggled to get free, but it was no use. 

      My phone started ringing in my pocket and I yelped, startled. I couldn't reach it or answer it and I looked around to see if Uncle Rich had returned. I squinted through the darkness, but saw nothing. I scooted the chair closer to the desk and managed to crack open one of the drawers. 

       I pushed the chair back and the drawer came free of the desk and fell on the floor. I could see the scissors in the corner, just waiting to cut me free. I tipped over in the chair and wiggle my wrist a little loose and grabbed at the scissors. I managed to hold on to them after a few failed tries and turned them between my fingers. The way my hands were tied made it impossible to open them all the way and scissor myself free, so I had to saw at the duct tape, quickly.

      My heart was pounding loudly and every few seconds, I would glance around the dark room and make sure Uncle Rich wasn't watching me, amused. 

       I finally had one hand free and I ripped the tape loose from my other hand and stood to my feet, wiggling my numb fingers. Relieved, I grabbed my phone from my pocket.

      I pressed redial, not remembering who I'd called last. 

     " Hello?"

     " Thierry!"

    " Dawn? Where are you? We're worried sick about-"

     " It's my uncle, Thierry. I'm at my dad's-" The phone was knocked from my hand and a sharp slap sent me sprawling on the floor.

      " What did I tell you!" Uncle Rich bellowed, cocking his pistol and pointing it at me.  " I specifically remember telling you that it would be easier if you just cooperated!"

      " You're insane, Uncle Rich!" I shouted, terrified, crawling out direct shot, if he decided to fire. He followed every move I made, though, pistol held high and tight. " It's me, Dawn. You're favorite niece!" 

     " Dawn, family is not as important as getting my life back. I have to do this." He said, eyes flashing. 

      " Please! In a month, I'll have the money. I'll give it all to you, I promise!" I begged, finding myself backed up against the wall.

      " I don't trust you, nor do I have a month to wait, Dawn." He was oddly calm again, his eyes were glassy and wide. I was sucking in deep breaths, mind racing. 

      " No, Dawn. " He said, quietly, raising his gun at me again. 

     I screeched and darted out of his path as the gun went off once and I thought it was over, but when I looked back he was still there. He shot again and I ducked behind the desk, trying to find a way out in the dark. The dim light that I had came from the street lights outside. 

     I made a run for the door, but was too slow and I heard the shot go off. The sound will forever ring in my nightmares. I felt white-hot searing pain after a moment of dazed confusion over what had just happened. I looked down at my shirt to see the dark circle growing larger at my side by the second. I dropped, gasping for air. 

      He tutted, came closer, and squatted down at my side. I reached out for help, unable to talk through the pain, but he just shook his head. 

      " Dawn. " Like I was a child that had misbehaved and needed punishment. " Now you knew better than to do that. Now you're going to die earlier than I'd planned."