"But, Alice, I have to...You're just too involved in all this..." he smirked, "Besides, what have you got to live for? A boy who doesnt love you back? Or a sister who hates you?"
I fell to my knees as he pressed the gun to my forehead.
I managed to squeeze my eyes shut before I heard a gunshot and my world turned black.
Chapter One
4 days earlier
Alice..Alice..a faint echo in the distance called out to me...Suddenly I heard a loud thud and a jolt of pain, which abruptly woke me up.
"Alice! For god's sake, wake up!"
Aah. The gentle voice of my all-too loving sister always managed to brighten my day.
I grudgingly opened my eyes to find myself lying on my bedroom floor, with my sister leaning over me, frowning.
She grabbed my arm and (not very gently) pulled me up.
"Okay, we've got a lot of work to do, Ali, you look like you've been dragged through a hedge backwards..."
Gee, subtle much?
"Really Marlee? Maybe its cos I just WOKE UP!" That didn't seem to have much effect on my sister, who just carried on smirking as she rifled through my not-so-up-to-date wardrobe.
After what seemed like an eternity, Marlee picked out a pair of black skinny jeans I didn't know I had and a strapless baby blue top.
I frowned at the top as she handed it to me. "Marlee, I appreciate your help but I'm so not wearing that! Its way too girly for me."
Marlee sighed, " Ok, fine. Wear what you want but try not to embarrass me in front of my boyfriend!" She stormed out of the room as I breathed a huge sigh of relief.
Just as I was about to move to my wardrobe, I heard the sound of a car pulling up outside. Out of curiosity I looked out of my window.
I gasped. It was Brandon Reilly. The Brandon Reilly. And he was standing outside my house, hugging my sister. I closed my mouth as another figure got out of the BMW. I craned my neck but couldn't see the face of the tall, dark stranger. Just as I stuck my head out of the window, the stranger looked at me. And I mean really looked at me. As if he could see inside to the darkest depths of my soul...
I realised i was still staring at him so I quickly ducked my head back in through the window. In my haste I managed to bang my head against the window frame. I thought I saw a flicker of worry in the stranger's eyes but I was probably imagining it as he started laughing seconds later.
Irritated, I threw my clothes on extra fast and dashed down the stairs. The quicker I ate, the quicker I could get away from my sister and that strange guy.
As I speed-walked into the kitchen, I was surprised to find no one in there.
Until I noticed none another than stranger guy leaning against the countertop.
And in his hand was a knife.
"Alice! For god's sake, wake up!"
Aah. The gentle voice of my all-too loving sister always managed to brighten my day.
I grudgingly opened my eyes to find myself lying on my bedroom floor, with my sister leaning over me, frowning.
She grabbed my arm and (not very gently) pulled me up.
"Okay, we've got a lot of work to do, Ali, you look like you've been dragged through a hedge backwards..."
Gee, subtle much?
"Really Marlee? Maybe its cos I just WOKE UP!" That didn't seem to have much effect on my sister, who just carried on smirking as she rifled through my not-so-up-to-date wardrobe.
After what seemed like an eternity, Marlee picked out a pair of black skinny jeans I didn't know I had and a strapless baby blue top.
I frowned at the top as she handed it to me. "Marlee, I appreciate your help but I'm so not wearing that! Its way too girly for me."
Marlee sighed, " Ok, fine. Wear what you want but try not to embarrass me in front of my boyfriend!" She stormed out of the room as I breathed a huge sigh of relief.
Just as I was about to move to my wardrobe, I heard the sound of a car pulling up outside. Out of curiosity I looked out of my window.
I gasped. It was Brandon Reilly. The Brandon Reilly. And he was standing outside my house, hugging my sister. I closed my mouth as another figure got out of the BMW. I craned my neck but couldn't see the face of the tall, dark stranger. Just as I stuck my head out of the window, the stranger looked at me. And I mean really looked at me. As if he could see inside to the darkest depths of my soul...
I realised i was still staring at him so I quickly ducked my head back in through the window. In my haste I managed to bang my head against the window frame. I thought I saw a flicker of worry in the stranger's eyes but I was probably imagining it as he started laughing seconds later.
Irritated, I threw my clothes on extra fast and dashed down the stairs. The quicker I ate, the quicker I could get away from my sister and that strange guy.
As I speed-walked into the kitchen, I was surprised to find no one in there.
Until I noticed none another than stranger guy leaning against the countertop.
And in his hand was a knife.
