The Book That Swallowed Me

TONIGHT!!!

Night came fast.

The mansion was quiet. Too quiet.

Amanda sat on the cold floor. Her hands were still tied, but her heart was beating like a drum.

She was waiting for Leo.

In her real life, she was Amanda from New York City. A girl who lived in a big tall building. A girl who had everything. Good food. Good phone. Bright lights everywhere. Life was easy and sweet.

But in here she had nothing. No food. No water. No phone. Only a cold floor and a locked door.

And yet, she was not thinking about New York now.

She was thinking about Leo.

She was thinking about Lily, the small eight-year-old girl in the next room.

She was thinking, "I must save them."

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Lily knocked on the wall again. "Amanda? Are you still there? Are you scared?"

Amanda smiled a little. "I am here, Lily. I am not scared. Your brother is coming."

Just then, she heard it.

A small sound on the roof. Like someone was walking softly.

Then a rope fell down from the small hole in the wall.

Amanda looked up. And she saw a face.

It was Leo.

He had climbed the mansion wall like a thief in a movie. His shirt was dirty. His face had a small cut. But his eyes were bright.

"Amanda!" he whispered. "I am here!"

Amanda wanted to shout, but Leo put his finger on his lips. "Shhh. Mr. Black's men are downstairs."

He climbed inside through the small hole. He was strong and fast.

He untied Amanda's hands quickly. His hands were warm.

"Are you okay?" he asked. His voice was soft.

Amanda nodded, but her eyes were full of tears. "Leo, Lily is in the next room. We must take her too."

Leo nodded. "I know. I will open her door first."

But before they could move, the door of Amanda's room opened with a loud BANG!

Mr. Black stood there. With four big men behind him. He was smiling his cold smile.

"Well, well, well," he said. "Leo. I knew you would come. Thank you for coming to my trap."

Leo pushed Amanda behind him. "Run, Amanda! Take Lily and run!"

Amanda did not move. She looked at Mr. Black. She looked at Leo.

For the first time in her life, the rich girl from New York City was not scared of a rich man.

She stepped forward.

"Mr. Black," she said, her voice shaking but strong. "You can lock me. You can lock Lily. But you cannot lock the truth. Everyone will know what you did."

Mr. Black laughed. "Truth? In Willow Creek, I AM the truth."

He turned to his men. "Catch them both!"

Leo grabbed Amanda's hand. "Hold my hand tight, Amanda. Don't let go!"

And they ran. Straight to the window. Straight to the rope.

Behind them, the men were shouting. In front of them, the night was dark and cold.

But Amanda held Leo's hand tight. She did not let go.

Not this time.