I AM ANNA MICHAEL

I SHOULD STOP RUNNING NOW

He threw the dagger at me and I felt it piercing my skin. I fell in pain. I closed my eyes tight and open them. Then I saw Christopher shaking me and calling my name at the same time. "You okay?" I nodded as I swept off the sweat on top of my forehead. I stepped out of the car and saw a mansion. The huge mansion and my mouth dropped open. "Let's go", he said as he held my hand. When I entered the house, my mouth dropped again as the living area's interior designs amazed me.

But then it stroke. "Guys? Am I gonna stay here alone or...?" I stopped as Daniel spoke "no-no-no. We are all gonna stay here together. Two rooms on the first and three on the second floor. The ground floor has a storeroom, kitchen, and back door to the backyard. I and Aaron using the rooms on the first floor and Christopher on the second floor. There are two empty rooms on the second floor. So you can choose which one you want. Okay?" I nodded and went upstairs. In the hallway, I saw a picture hung on the wall. It's a picture of the boys with....me? I'm so small in this picture. I think it was around 6-7 years old. Chris is also in it? Were we close in childhood? Why I can't remember it? I saw Chris approaching me and walked straight to left. I entered the other room and closed the door. "So we guys know each other when we're young? Or is it just for the picture? But I barely have my childhood memory. Did it get erased; accident? I don't remember going through an accident. Well, it might be a snap. So this mansion belongs to one of them!? Ah!!!....now my brain is relieved.  

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Daniel POV

"Do you think she will remember everything? She saw the picture. She should remember something, don't she? Should I go and talk to her". Christopher blabbered. "Come on dude. You have waited for this long, wait a little while. If she remembers everything don't you think she will come to you? Also, did you forgot the accident? When it's time she will remember everything. If not we will tell her everything or you can tell her all by yourself." Aaron explained as he was cutting vegetables. "But what if she forgets present by remembering the past?", he started again but I saw Anna coming from the mirror and signaled them to stop this thing. "Do you guys need any help?" she asked with a bright smile. "I can do anything except cutting things. Servings maybe. Or if you guys want me to sit still and eat when it's done also will do good," she continued. We all looked at her while she was still smiling. "No worries, just sit still and eat when it's done." I replied. "Thank you. Hmmm by the way can I ask you guys something? Can I know about the picture in the hallway?" Chris replied "that one. That's mine. That picture holds much memory. That picture was taken 14-15 years before. That day was-" I interrupted his talk by serving the food. We all sat and "listen guys no talking when eating", I said. And like that the day ended and the night came. We went to bed after having a little chat.

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ANNA POV

-I fall while looking at my hand covered with blood. "I promise. If it's once, it's a mistake. But twice I'm an i***t. I will make sure to kill you today. So there will be no tomorrow for you". I heard the front door opening and hoped it should be Henry. But I was wrong. I saw dad running away through the back door. "Go get him. I will take care of things here," one man spoke. I tried to stand up but fell. "Don't try hard sweetie. We will wait until your dad comes back. If no news about him we will finish you. Bring the emergency kit." I heard the door opening again and heard Henry calling my name. "Look who's here? Welcome home kid." The man spoke again. "Listen, I know why you guys are here. You guys need my dad not her. I know where he will be. Tell your men to go there and get him. Leave her alone. she shouldn't be the one to get hurt because of dad!" I heard every single word Henry said. But I didn't want to react and I couldn't. I lost all my strength and couldn't keep my eyes open. "They found him. We should move." I heard one of them spoke. "Let's move guys. You take good care of her. Remember if he stays alive for a very long time, he will come for her. Remember the promise? Send her away.  When fate decides what should be done let's follow that. Until then let her live a happy life." But then I heard a gunshot and that's the last thing I heard. 

I woke up while breathing heavily. "Why am I keep dreaming about this?" I walked out of my room to the kitchen. I saw the picture again. I realized the picture was taken at a playground. "Me, Henry, Christ, Sarah, Jennie, Christine, Daniel, Aaron, and who is this? WAH!!! He looks so cute!!! Oh my god!!!!" I startled as a shadow approached behind me. "Hey, it's me! What you doing here," he asked. "Was heading to the kitchen. Can I ask you something? Who is this boy? He looks so cute." I asked him. "Cute? Cute things can be very dangerous. let's go down and talk." He dragged me with him. When we were in the backyard of the house he let my hands go.

"Before that, do you know what Henry is doing? I mean his work?" he asked, eyes expecting something. "Kind of. When I was with I knew what he was doing. After a few years, he moved out." I said. "You know his work?" he asked again. "Yes, he was a coach in a school," I replied. He turned away. "It was a few years back. Not now. Do you remember your parent's work?" I nodded. "I joined the boys 2 years back. I knew them all since childhood. When I got back with the boys, I came to know Henry's work. Henry is now a Drug Mafia. Your dad is still in the field. Father and son had fought well and maintained their positions well. The boy in the picture is Jade. He was my friend, not now. He has joined your dad and caused many problems. We are still searching for him. But couldn't find him. You have to be very careful. I don't know what happened at the alley but always remember. If your dad is not searching or reaching out to you, this guy will do. Because of Henry, you, and your mom this guy had gone through a lot. Plus, your dad is not only dealing with drugs but many more. Women trafficking, child k********g, illegal organ donations, and many more. If he tries to kidnap you it can one be these reasons besides revenge. So, never leave the house without us." I nodded. I had many questions to ask but couldn't. So I just went in. 

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It's been more than a month. Everything is just fine but Chris has changed a lot. He stopped talking with me. Our conversation just last 5 minutes. I didn't know what to do. But for some reason, I saw Chris as a different person. A small talk turned into a big fight. The boys couldn't stop fighting all day. I felt something fishy but don't know what. 

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THIRD PERSON POV

Two weeks before, Aaron was on the phone and watering the plants at the same time. He accidentally sprayed water on Chris. Even though it was an accident the boys started a fight over it. Anna was curious about Chris as he acted like a different person. One day, she followed Chris out of the house. Chris didn't know he's being followed. Anna saw him talking with some strangers and reported it to the boys. Somehow it backfired Anna and their relationship started to sink. The boys were worried about both of them and discussed with Henry to go on a trip. Besides this, Anna suffered from insomnia as her nightmare got worse. An unfamiliar voice called her out and those voices stuck in her head. She started to get different feelings whenever she passed by the picture. She also started to get curious about how Jade will look like and what wrong their family did to him. When there is a love-hate relationship between Anna and Chris, on the day of the trip they had to sit behind the passenger seat. "Anna!!! You can come down when I call you." Anna nodded while finishing her makeup. She came out of her room and felt Chris is not in his room. She peeked inside his room and went in. When she entered, she stopped in her tracks. FROZEN.

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AARON POV 

"Anna where are you?" I called her name but no response. "You guys wait here. I'll go and get her." Christopher walked out of the house and Daniel signaled me to go on. I went upstairs while calling her name. But she wasn't in her room. "Where did she go? Anna!!" I shouted and she replied from Christopher's room. "Yes?! Ahm..give me a minute, I'll be down." She said and I went downstairs. Soon Anna came down and I started the car. Anna gets in the passenger seat with Christopher saying nothing while he sulked. I felt something not right. Daniel asked before me, "Anna, are you okay? You look kind of pale. Anything?" But she just shook her head. I texted Henry about our departure. Our trip was just a simple one. So we planned camping near a hillside. When we arrived, I informed Henry about it and Aaron divided the work among us.

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ANNA POV

I couldn't believe my eyes. What the hell did I just saw in the room? Do we all get fooled? I kept on thinking about the incident that happened in the house and tripped down while setting up the camp. "Pufft...That tough?!" Did he just pufft me? I ignored Chris and focused on my work. Don't want to trip again. Aaron and Daniel went to get some woods. The situation became awkward. I finished my works and went to the car to get my things. But I took a moment to think about everything again. I was deeply in thought and didn't notice Chris standing behind me. "Excuse me? Are you gonna stand here and do nothing? If you think you are too free that you have time for thinking, why don't you help me setting their camp?" "Hmm, you go first, I'll be there in a few minutes", I said and went to the riverside. 

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DANIEL POV

We almost finished everything. Aaron went to get things for the BBQ party and Christopher heated the grills. The mood was so energizing as everyone worked well. "Next time find a place near to the camp. And grill for me first," he whined. The BBQ party went well. We played some games. Soon Christopher left us saying no fun >_BLACKOUT AGAIN.

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I woke up in an unfamiliar place. I heard no voice either see anything due to my blindfold. I heard footsteps and heard them speaking, "she is awake". I understood cameras are watching me. "Hello baby girl", the moment I heard his voice, I felt shivers down my spine. "No answers? It's fine. Get her blindfold." My blindfold has been removed and I looked around. Then I realized this is not an unfamiliar place. This is my house. I have been tied to a chair in the living room. My past flashed in my eyes. I felt shivers again. I saw Chris coming in and stood beside my dad. "No surprise? Does that means my baby girl can tell who is someone by their voice? But you should surprise about this, don't you?", he asked sarcastically. "Wanna know something? I know this betrayer before but not as your henchman of course." I giggled and saw my so-called dad getting frustrated. "Watch your mouth girl. He is my official son. Don't you dare to call him that away again", he stepped back while putting his arm around Chris. "Listen, I don't want to listen to why you kidn*pped me. I want to know about someone if you can tell me about that person," I said. "Who, Henry", he teased. "Christopher," I said. Christopher looked confused, "me? Don't you know about me," he asked while lifting an eyebrow. "Don't you hear me little boy? I said Christopher, not JADE ." They both looked at each other and silent for a moment.

"You know him already? I see. Then what about playing a little game. I know you're curious about Christopher, do you feel the same for him too? I mean don't you wanna know about him. How you, your mother, and brother ruined his life?" he asked while leaned down. "Of course I do. But now I understand. Whenever he does something or tells us something us he reports that immediately to you. What a loyal dog." I saw anger building in him. "Anna!!! Stop harassing him," he said while raised his hand towards me. I wasn't seriously harassing, just wanted to see how he will react. Understood. "Now I understood. You must be thinking if you kidnap me, I will beg you in fear to let me go. In exchange, you get Henry through me. What a pity soul you are. Oops, petty," I laughed out loud. Jade stepped out "it's glad to hear. I'm Jade. Nice to meet you, sweetie. And you guessed correctly. But it seems like he went to his usual hideout place. Why afraid of we will get him through you." he laughed sarcastically. "You know what, at some point in life you will know running away from the problem will never solve it. I have faced many. Now I want to handle this problem on my own. This is nothing to me when the worst was my dad tried to kill. Do you think things can go worse than this? That day in the alley, I know it's a trap to get me. Now you guys have me here. So tell me what you guys want." 

I looked at my dad. "That's pretty detailed. I thought you forgot about it. But when Jade said you're having nightmares I thought you will get back your memories. But nothing came out. It's been too long after the incident do you still think her memories will come?" He turned to Jade and asked him, leaving me speechless. "Wait! What accident!?", I asked them almost shouting. Jade walked out of the room. "Let me tell you something. Your mom came back to get you and your brother. When she came back you were at your college. You didn't refuse to see because you and your brother helped her to get through a crisis. And you involved yourself in a problem when Henry left you in Canada," he stopped. "Wait, Canada? I don't remember going--", I stopped as I remembered my nightmare happened in Canada. "OK, Canada. Did I meet someone there?" he nodded as soon I asked. I shook my head in disbelief. "Tell me that's not Christopher right," he nodded again. For a moment I progressed my nightmares again starting from the science lab until the hospital. "So I met him in Canada, we both fell in love, he met mom at Canada, Henry and mom left Canada, I involved in an accident when Jade was with me, I woke up while remembering nothing." I looked up at my dad again. He nodded. 

Jade came back along with a man tied his hands behind, his face bruised. "Chris?" A sudden flash of past. I remembered everything including the accident. My hand was untied and Jade gave a small box to me. I opened it only to find out about wedding rings. I remembered the day Chris and I went to buy that.