NINE

KEEGAN

Several years ago,

I was hot. It was the first thing that registered itself in my brain. Hot sweat dripped down the sides of my face and beads of sweats rolled down my spine in rivulets. My upper body was bare, I realised. Forcing my heavy eyelids open, my blurry vision zeroed in on my younger sister. She was tied to the ceiling, face down. So, was I.

There were six empty barrels in the room and on top of each one, was a pair of candles that lit up the room with a warm glow. I looked around the small room, in search of a means of escape. I couldn't find a single window. However, there was a door to my left.

Pain shot through my wrists and ankles when I tried to move.

"Key?"

I froze at the sound of my sister's weary voice.

"I'm here. Try not to move, it'll hurt a lot. I'll get us out of here, I promise"

She whimpered, I could already sense her fear.

"Too hot. Key, I'm scared. I don't want to die" she croaked.

The sight of the glistening tears on her face