The Nightmare Had Just Begun

[footy]

great please update

[hann18]

I won't be writing anymore of this story for a few days, because I will be away on holiday. So there won't be an update for at least 5 days.

[eppsy]

Ok.

Enjoy your holiday.

I will be loooking forward to the next update when it comes.

[hann18]

Chapter 10

A week later Mariah returned to college. She was having a cup of coffee with her friend Louisa. Louisa was nineteen years old and she looked really happy.

"Whats happened Lou, you're acting all happy lately"

Louisa couldn't wait to tell Mariah. She held out her hand to reveal a big rock.

"Oh wow, congratulations, I didn't know you two were so close"

"Me and Roger are very close Mariah. I nearly fainted when he proposed"

Louisa had gotten engaged. Mariah knew Louisa had been going out with someone. Mariah had never met him, all she knew was he was older and called Roger.

"Well I'm pleased for you, Lou, have you set a date?"

"Not yet, but I hope its soon, I can't wait"

Mariah laughed and got up.

"Well I best be off now, got to catch my bus"

"Okay, see you tomorrow"

---------------------------------------

Mariah left the building and headed to the bus stop. It was raining and a bus had already left. Mariah checked on bus times. There wasn't another one due for an hour, so she went in a coffee shop not far from the bus stop.

Mariah ordered a coffee, it was busy and there was a two seated table free. Mariah took her coffee and sat down.

Mariah was daydreaming when she was interrupted. Mariah jumped, she wasn't expecting anyone.

Mariah looked up. It was a man, he looked in his forties and had blonde hair and striking green eyes.

"Is this seat free?"

"Sure, go ahead"

The man spoke in a London accent, sounded a bit cockney.

Mariah wasn't in the talking mood, especially to a stranger.

The man sat in silence for a while. Mariah found a copy of the Independent and started to read a page. It made sitting here easier.

"You meeting anyone?"

Mariah felt really awkward talking to the man, Mariah decided to lie.

"Just a friend"

The man nodded.

"Thats great, so any plans"

"No"

Mariah wanted to keep the answers short as possible without giving any personal information out.

"Are you a student, this area is popular with students"

"Whats this, twenty questions," Mariah snapped. At the same time she knocked the table, causing drinks to spill a little.

The man kept calm.

"Look, I'm sorry, just making conversation"

Mariah just looked at him carefully, and took a sip of her coffee. Then she reached into her bag and pulled out a dance book.

Mariah held the book up to her face. It didn't seem to work, the man kept on talking.

"You study dance then. Look you may think I'm some nutter, but my partner, she is a choreographer. You may be interested"

Mariah put down her book and carefully took the card he was handing to her.

Mariah read it.

"Chantelle Brosnan

Professional Choreographer

09432 566 784 352"

Mariah pocketed the card, and replied.

"Thanks"

Mariah gently let down her guard. Perhaps the man wasn't a weirdo after all. There was something about him that seemed uncanny.

It was the way he said certain words and the look in his eyes. Then there was the colour of his eyes, striking green. They seemed to have a hypnotising effect. That was why Mariah tried not to stare into them.

Mariah got up and grabbed her bag.

"Going so soon"

"I gotta run, thanks"

As Mariah walked away, she felt something cold grab her arm. Mariah spun her head around. The man had grabbed her arm.

"What did you say your name was?"

Mariah felt uneasy.

"I didn't"

Mariah pulled away violently and ran out of the coffee shop and towards the bus stop. Mariah didn't look back.

A bus was due and Mariah could see it coming towards the bus stop. Mariah got on and gave the driver her money. She sat on a seat and waited to get to her destination.

Mariah had thoughts about the man she had met. He looked familiar. Where had she met him before.

[footy]

great please update

[hann18]

Chapter 11

Mariah was reading a book at home, it had been a week since she had met that strange man in the coffee shop by the college bus stop.

Mariah had been trying to work out why he seemed familiar to her, she was having no luck. Then Mariah remembered the card he had given her.

She read the name written on the card.

"Chantelle Brosnan"

Mariah remembered she was told she was a choreographer and she almost dialled the number and had second thoughts. Mariah put the phone down, she would ring the number in a few days.

----------------------------------

Mariah went to college the next day. There was no sign of Louisa today.

The day had gone slow and she was glad to leave to go home.

Mariah was just leaving the building when she heard a voice calling her name.

"Mariah, wait up"

Mariah turned around it was Louisa who looked very happy.

"Lou, hi, how come you weren't in college today?"

"Oh, not to worry, I'm fine. Look I've been busy, I have someone for you to meet"

Mariah waited around. Louisa was going up to a man dressed in a suit who had his back turned. He had dark hair.

"Mariah, I would like you to meet Roger"

The man turned around. Mariah was in shock.

"Oh my God,"

Mariah was shaking her head.

"It can't be"

Mariah couldn't believe what she saw.

[footy]

oh my god please update, i wonder who it is

[hann18]

Chapter 12

"It can't be"

Louisa didn't know what was wrong with Mariah.

"Mariah, whats wrong, tell me"

Mariah was shaking, a look of fear came over her face. Mariah slowly backed towards where she came in.

"Keep away from that man," Mariah said pointing her finger towards him.

The man looked in his forties, with dark hair and a suit. Mariah recognised him right away. He was Grayson Sinclair, her father. This time he was going with a new name as Roger.

"Mariah, whats come over you?"

"Thats not Roger, Lou, his name is Grayson Sinclair, he's my dad, and a total monster"

Louisa thought Mariah was mad. Roger just stood there in silence.

"Don't be stupid Mariah, this is Roger, we're engaged"

"LISTEN TO ME, HE'S EVIL"

Then Roger stepped forward.

"I don't know what you are talking about, but you are clearly upsetting my fiancee,"

The accent was identical, it was definitely Grayson.

Louisa looked upset, hurt that Mariah was saying these things about him.

"Mariah, I think you've made a mistake, this is definitely Roger, not Grayson.

Mariah felt like she was screaming and nobody was listening, she ran up to Louisa and spoke to her.

"I think I know what my dad looks like, he is supposed to be dead, look he's evil, all the things he did to me"

Roger heard this and interrupted.

"What things, you're deluded"

"Oh you know perfectly well, the murder, the lies, abduction and drugging me, don't deny it"

Roger looked so confused.

"I have no idea what you are talking about. Louisa, she sounds like the only one who is evil, why don't I arrange to make everything better"

Louisa was in tears, she had never seen Mariah like this.

"Oh, thats it, send me away, like you did to your poor wife, Perdita"

Mariah's words just made Louisa even more upset.

"See what you have done now, you're pathetic, you know that," his words were cold and unwelcoming.

Louisa came up to Mariah.

"I never thought you would be like this, I hate to see you like this, you know that"

Mariah couldn't believe Louisa wasn't listening.

"Can't you see, what he is like?"

Louisa shook her head and cried. Roger came up to Louisa.

"Just give me the word and I'll make the call, she needs help"

Mariah thought quickly, she knew what he was going to do and decided to act.

"Fine, Lou, be like that, he is going to hurt you like he did to my mum, Perdita and me. Enjoy your married life, why don't you."

Roger took Louisa out of the building, his arm around her. As they left the door, he looked back at Mariah giving her a evil and cruel look.

[eppsy]

Wow, great updates.

Please post more soon.

[hann18]

Chapter 13

Mariah was in a mood, she wasn't so glad to get home. Mariah couldn't believe it, all the people she cared about in the world had been taken from her, by him. Her dad Grayson Sinclair. First he had taken her mum, then Gabby, Matthew, Jimmy and Carl. Now he had taken Louisa from her.

Mariah was angry but at the same time very upset. She wanted to tell Mark and Cassie, but they wouldn't believe her, she felt so alone.

Up in her room, Mariah was reading a book, when she remembered that mysterious man in the coffee shop. Mariah picked up the card and thought. Maybe she should just dial the number, what harm could it do.

Mariah picked up her phone and dialled the number on the card. Mariah waited a few rings then there was an answer.

"Hello"

Mariah recognised the voice it was the man from the coffee shop.

"Oh hi, can I speak to Chantelle Brosnan please?"

"Oh, I'm sorry she is out, visiting relatives, can I help?"

"Well, you might, I want to speak to her, my name is Mariah Sugden, you're the man from the coffee shop, I think I spoke to you the other day"

"Ah yes, Mariah, you did. Well I was telling Chantelle about you and she would be glad to meet with you, just tell me a date, time and place and I will pass it on, you are guaranteed to meet her"

Mariah coughed.

"Sure, that will be fine. The sooner the better, 2pm tomorrow in Costa Coffee in Leeds"

"Of course, I shall pass it on to her right away, she will look forward to seeing you"

"Great, thanks, er mister...."

"Why don't you call me Rhydian, I'm not for formality"

"Sure, bye bye"

Mariah hung up, she would look forward to meeting Chantelle tomorrow.

[rtzen01]

finally caught up, this is a brill story can't wait for more

[hann18]

Chapter 14

Mariah decided to get her hair dyed a darker shade of black, recently her hair was going dark brown.

The next day Mariah got ready to catch the bus to Leeds. Mariah decided to wear more makeup than usual and applied her eyeliner a lot more heavy.

Mariah picked up her bag and left for the bus stop. She was glad the bus had arrived quickly. She got on and paid the driver and sat at the back of the bus.

Mariah was feeling a little nervous, she had butterflies in her stomach. Before she knew it the bus had arrived in Leeds. The weather was cloudy today and it looked like rain.

The walk to Costa Coffee was around ten minutes. Mariah ordered a coffee and took a seat in the corner. Mariah looked around the room, she scanned the people, there were a few women, she was wondering if one of them were Chantelle.

Mariah waited for ten minutes, half of her coffee was finished. Mariah looked down thinking about everything, then she noticed someone had come to her table.

Mariah looked up and was shocked to see Rhydian.

"Hi, have you seen Chantelle, I am supposed to be meeting her here"

Rhydian sat down opposite Mariah.

"Yes, I know, she couldn't make it today, I'm afraid"

Mariah was disappointed.

"Oh, thats a shame, well I'll be off then"

Mariah started to get up but was stopped by Rhydian

"Look, you must have come from a long way, don't leave right away, stay a bit longer, we can have a chat"

Mariah hesitated for a bit, then sat down again

"Okay then"

There was a silence.

"Whats wrong Mariah, you seem a bit blue"

"Oh its nothing," Mariah lied. Rhydian didn't need to hear her problems.

"Come now Mariah, I can tell there is something up, I'm a good judge of character, I need to be, its my profession"

"Your profession?"

"Yes, I'm a psychiatrist"

That made Mariah feel uneasy, but she couldn't lie, he would know.

"Well if you must know. Its a long story"

Mariah then decided to tell Rhydian about everything that happened over the past year.

She went on about her mum, finding her dad, discovering the truth about him, running away, her short fame, abduction, Oakwell Hall, the supposed death of her dad, then finding out he was alive and nobody believing her.

Then Mariah told Rhydian about the murders of her close friends, her life at college and her foster parents Mark and Cassie.

Rhydian was surprised.

"Wow, you have had an exciting life then, I'm glad you told me"

Mariah didn't know why he said that.

"Why?"

"Because, young Mariah, I like to hear about peoples troubles"

"I bet you hear a lot about peoples troubles"

"That I do, I'm a psychiatrist remember"

Mariah nodded. She looked around, Mariah had just noticed that the coffee shop was empty, it must have been near closing time. It had gotten darker outside. She had lost track of time telling Rhydian about her life story.

Mariah got up.

"Look, it was nice to talk to you, but I have to go, my bus is due soon"

"Ah, very well then young Mariah. Why don't I drive you home?"

Mariah had a bad feeling.

"Actually I think its best if I catch the bus, I'm meeting a friend"

Mariah knew he would be able to tell she was lying, but at that exact moment she didn't really care, she just wanted to get home.

Rhydian nodded. "As you wish"

"Goodbye"

Mariah grabbed her coat and dropped her bag. She quickly grabbed the stuff and chucked it back in her bag and then hurried out of the coffee shop and to the bus station.

Mariah was unaware that she had left something behind.

-------------------------------

Mariah ran to the bus station, luckily there was a bus due and was ready for her to board. Mariah just sat back as the bus left the station and was starting its journey.

------------------------------

On the floor of the coffee shop a gloved hand picked up a small book and put it in their briefcase.

[eppsy]

Wow, great updates.

Love the suspense.

Please post more soon. x

[footy]

please update

[hann18]

Chapter 15

At home Mariah was busy. Busy looking for her diary, she had been trying to find it for hours, but with no luck. Mariah had looked all over the house and her room for it.

Mariah was getting worried. Worried for a few reasons. Most of the past year was jotted down in that book, all her thoughts, if she had lost the book, there would be no way she would be able to get everything back. Then there was the nightmare of a childish person finding it and thinking it funny to post everything on the internet. That thought made Mariah mad.

Still there was no luck, it would turn up, when she was least expecting it.

------------------------------------------

The next day Mariah went to college. She had nobody to talk to, not now the monster had taken Louisa from her. Mariah knew he wouldn't make her happy, and for some reason she couldn't help thinking he was using her to get to herself.

Mariah hadn't seen Louisa all day, so on her break she decided to head outside for a cigarette.

It was an isolated spot and Mariah just lit up and began to smoke. Then she heard voices. It was a man and a woman. They sounded familiar. Then Mariah figured it out. Around the corner was Grayson and Louisa.

Mariah kept quiet and decided to listen in, trying her best not to be discovered. Mariah put out her cigarette, the smoke making her presence known and she just leaned against the wall.

"So have you decided a date darling"

"Oh I dunno, I don't wanna rush into this, maybe we should have all the fuss"

"You getting cold feet, or don't you love me any more?"

"Look its not that, I'd like my family there, and, maybe Mar..."

Grayson had stopped Louisa.

"Why do you need your family there, they will only interfere, I'm all you need and Mariah, oh just forget about her, she's vulgar, you don't need people like her, there is something not right about her, she needs help, you know"

Mariah couldn't believe what she was hearing, she recognised this, he was trying to control Louisa like he did to herself. Mariah had to stop herself from marching round there. She continued to listen.

"Well, you maybe right, look its no big deal if there is no big white wedding, I can live with a small ceremony in a registry office"

"I'm glad you say that darling, so shall we set a date then?"

"Well how about in three weeks time, on the 24th of June, at the registry office in Leeds"

"Thats charming darling, it will just be me and you, and for witnesses we will find someone on the street and bring them in"

"I can't wait"

"Well, I must be going darling, see you later"

Mariah felt sick, so she was going ahead with it after all. Mariah knew he would walk this way, she had to hide right away. Mariah spotted some bins and quickly ran behind them and ducked down very low.

Not long after, she heard footsteps and peeked out in between the bins, she saw him in his usual attire of jeans and black overcoat. He was heading towards the car park. Mariah watched him carefully and saw him approach his car. Shortly after it drove out towards the main road.

Mariah had to do something, she couldn't let him manipulate Louisa.

[eppsy]

Wow, great update. Please post more soon. x

[hann18]

Chapter 16

Mariah went over and over in her head what had happened in college yesterday. She had to make Louisa see what he was like, it wasn't going to be easy. Nobody believed her about Grayson, nobody in Emmerdale and definitely nobody here. She wasn't even sure if he had any relatives.

Mariah was about to knock that on the head when she remembered something Matthew had said about there being a brother. Alasdair she thought he was called, things started to come back to her. Only problem was he was living in Dubai, wouldn't be easy to reach him.

Mariah did some searching on the internet, she typed in "Alasdair Sinclair Dubai," nothing would probably appear but it was worth a try. To her surprise there was a few results.

She clicked on the first one, it was a website about a hospitality business in Dubai. Mariah read a bit of information and eventually she found a link that read about the company. Mariah clicked on it, the boss was called Alasdair Sinclair.

There was a picture of him too, he looked younger than Grayson and had blondish brown hair, he didn't look so evil either.

At the bottom of the page was an e-mail address. Quickly Mariah opened her Hotmail account and began to type.

Hello, you don't know me. My name is Mariah Sugden Sinclair. My father is your brother Grayson Sinclair. Look I know you will probably ignore and delete this message, but I really hope you don't. I need your help, you might be the only person in the world who can. Its my dad, I don't know who he is anymore, he's turned into a psychopath, and now he is engaged to a close friend of mine, I don't believe he loves her, he just wants to mess up her life, like he did to me and the people close to me.

Thanks for reading, please get back to me

At the end of the e-mail Mariah added her mobile number. She knew this was hopeless but it was worth a try.

Mariah needed to do something, so she thought she would give that choreographer a ring again. Mariah picked up the card and dialled the number.

She waited a few rings and a voice answered. It was Rhydian.

"Hi, thats Rhydian right, this is Mariah, look could I speak to Chantelle please"

"Mariah, hello, its good to speak to you again. I hope you are well, look I'm sorry to break it to you but Chantelle is down the pub right now, I can take a message though. I promise to pass it on to her"

Mariah sighed.

"Okay then, do you think I could meet with her, maybe in town, or whatever is good for her"

"Chantelle would love it if you could come around. In fact she was talking about you earlier today, why don't you come around tomorrow afternoon, say at 3pm. The house is on the main road north of York, you can't miss it, it looks like a castle"

"Thats great, thanks Rhydian"

"No problem at all, she shall look forward to meeting with you, goodbye Mariah"

"Bye bye"

Mariah put down the phone, looking forward to finally meeting with Chantelle.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Mariah was glad tomorrow had finally arrived. It was almost getting time to leave to see Chantelle, so she ordered a taxi.

Ten minutes later it had arrived. The weather was gloomy today and the drive seemed endless. The taxi pulled up to the side of the road. Up the hill was a castle, it looked unwelcoming from a distance. Mariah paid the driver and walked up the hill.

Suddenly there was a flash of white and a crackle of thunder, a storm was very near and it was getting dark. The rain started to fall. Mariah ran up the hill and to the front door, ringing the doorbell.

Mariah noticed a fog was forming and it was getting a bit chilly. Immediately after ringing Rhydian answered.

"Mariah, good to see you, come, come inside, you'll catch your death"

Mariah brushed past Rhydian and into the huge entrance hall. There was dark paneling everywhere and there was candles lit. Portraits lined the walls and there was a massive grand staircase.

"Nice place you got here"

"Thankyou Mariah, please come with me"

Mariah followed Rhydian to a sitting room. A massive fireplace was lit making the room glow. All the furniture seemed antique.

"Can I get you anything, a drink perhaps"

Mariah shook her head. "No thankyou, maybe later"

"As you insist Mariah, look Chantelle is running a little late, she can't wait to meet you"

Rhydian sat down opposite Mariah. Mariah felt really uneasy he kept staring at her. It was those eyes that made Mariah all nervous.

"So Mariah, you were saying about your father, a barrister didn't you say"

Mariah stopped thinking for a moment. She never told him that, how would he know.

"I can't remember saying that"

"The other week in the coffee shop, you must remember"

Mariah decided to humour him, he was weird.

"Oh yes, I did, just get a bit forgetful"

"Well we all do sometimes, and what about the loss of your mother"

Rhydian was creeping Mariah out. She never told him that, it was like he knew everything that had been happening.

"I'd rather not talk about it, please don't bring it up. Look when is Chantelle getting here, I've come a long way"

"She won't be long you know, and I understand you may have travelled a distance"

Mariah waited another hour. The storm had gotten worse, it looked torrential outside all the rain making the field waterlogged, the windows being battered by hail.

"Look, you have a lovely home here, but I must be off, bye now"

Mariah got up and walked quickly to the entrance hall. Rhydian grabbed her arm.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING, PLEASE GET OFF ME"

Rhydian tried to calm her down.

"Mariah, don't struggle, you can't leave, have you seen the weather outside, you'll catch pneumonia"

"I'm ringing a taxi"

"That won't be possible, the phone lines are all dead"

Rhydian picked up the phone in the entrance hall and held the receiver out for Mariah.

"See, listen"

It was dead, Mariah wouldn't get a taxi.

"So I'll catch the bus"

"Mariah, the last bus left fifteen minutes ago"

"Great, now I'm stuck here, what the hell am I going to do"

Mariah threw her arms up in the air and sat down on the stairs.

"Look I have an idea, you can stay in one of the guest bedrooms upstairs, then when Chantelle returns later on, you can speak to her, we will all have a chat over dinner. Then when the weather has passed in the morning you can leave then. Will be a lot safer for you"

Mariah took a minute to take it all in.

"Alright then"

"Why don't I get you a drink, you look thirsty"

Mariah nodded. "Yes, please, cup of tea"

"Coming right up, come on lets go to the sitting room"

It was getting darker outside. It was nearly night. Mariah sat on the antique sofa.

"Here you are"

Mariah gave her tea a stir, and began to drink after a while.

About halfway through her cup, Rhydian started talking about Grayson.

"So you don't get on with your father then"

The words seemed to repeat themselves. Mariah felt all funny. She started to get up but fell back onto the sofa feeling all dizzy and lightheaded.

"Your father, he seems like a nice man"

"Why did you fall out"

"He was only doing what was best for you"

"Mariah"

"Mariah"

"You alright"

"Speak to me, I can help"

Mariah felt like she was spinning around. Then she had a vision her dad was by her. He was looking down at her and had a sadistic look on his face. He twisted her arm. Mariah screamed out in pain and he gave an evil laugh and twisted it even harder. Then he slapped her hard across the face making her face feel sore and her lip bleed.

All Mariah heard was his evil laughter.

"You ungrateful girl, you are going to pay"

More laughter followed. Then it all came to a stop and she blacked out.

Everything went dark.

[eppsy]

Omg, great update. Love the cliffhanger. Please post more soon.

[hann18]

Chapter 17

Mariah felt awful, she didn't remember much that happened last night. The last thing she remembered was having a cup of tea, then it all went black from there. Mariah opened her eyes, she wondered where she was.

It wasn't anywhere she recognised. Mariah was still wearing her clothes from last night so she couldn't be home. The room was very dark, had dark wood panneling and antique furniture. The curtains were fully drawn making the room even darker.

Mariah was lying on a four poster bed, it was one of those old style ones that looked like it came out of the 1400s. Mariah was really worried where she was, so she got up and went for the door.

When she tried to open it, she couldn't, it was locked. Mariah tried to force it open but there was still no luck. When forcing the door open didn't work she started shouting.

"HEY OPEN THIS BLOODY DOOR"

Nobody came. Mariah gave the door a hard kick and then went to the curtains and pulled them apart. The weather outside was bleak. Then Mariah figured out where she was, she was still at Rhydian's house or more realistically castle.

She had no idea whatsoever how she got in this room or why the door was locked. She did remember Rhydian telling her that it was best to leave in the morning. She was ready to leave now, the sooner the better.

Mariah then felt pain in her face, it hurt when she touched her face and her lip felt awful. Her arm ached badly. There was a mirror in the corner of the room, Mariah ran over to it.

"OH MY GOD," she screamed out loud.

Mariah looked like she had been beaten up. There was some blood dried up on her face, cuts and bruises. Her lip was all swollen. She had no idea how her face got in this state, she hadn't been in a fight recently.

Mariah ran to the bed and jumped on, knocking a vase over in the process and causing it to smash.

"Oh bloody hell, oh who cares"

The vase was probably an antique.

Not long after, Mariah heard footsteps out in the corridor. They got louder, then a key was turning in the lock and the door opened.

Mariah couldn't believe who she saw.

"Mariah, how are you feeling this morning"

It was Rhydian, with an evil look over his face. There was something very different about him, the accent.

"You, creep, you locked me in here, whats happened to your voice Rhydian?"

Rhydian laughed evilly.

Mariah gasped, she recognised that laugh any day. She was beginning to realise who he really was.

"You could say Mariah, that this is my real voice. Perhaps you should know my name isn't Rhydian, but Grayson. See I fooled you, princess"

"I should have known it was you, but you look so different those eyes and the hair"

"Really Mariah, I'm surprised at you, I thought you would be familiar with coloured contacts and wigs"

Grayson turned around and took the blonde wig off and the striking green contacts out. He then turned around. He was more recognisable now.

"You creep, I hate you"

"Hate is such a strong word, princess"

"I AIN'T YOUR BLOODY PRINCESS," Mariah screamed at him.

He just gave an evil laugh.

"I fooled you didn't I, see while I was Rhydian you suspected nothing, you trusted me"

Mariah wasn't going to listen to this.

"I knew Rhydian was a bit dodgy, there is no Chantelle then"

"Oh her, I based her on Louisa, my fiancee"

"You will never make her happy, and there is no way that you're marrying her for love"

Grayson gave a sarcastic clap.

"Very good Mariah, you see, to me Louisa is just another brat like you, but I can see how much it angers you, us being together"

"I knew it, you're just getting at me. You will ruin her life like you did to me, my mum and Perdita"

"Well its working isn't it, you are beginning to crack, I would invite you to the wedding, but you see there is no room for you, terribly sorry, princess"

Mariah shook her head in disgust. "Why are you doing this, what did I do that was so bad"

"Mariah, all the running away and going behind my back, I could forgive. I was going to take you to London with me, and start a new life, me and you, the perfect family, but you had to go and ruin it didn't you"

"Me, ruin, it, what are you on"

"You left me for dead by that cliff, you could have stayed, but no you went off with Matthew King and his deluded family. Thats betrayal in my eyes, Mariah. Betrayal is not something I forgive or forget"

Mariah hated him even more.

"You know what, I don't need you in my life, now if you don't mind I have a bus to catch"

All of a sudden Mariah barged past him and onto the corridor. She kept running, to the staircase and slid down the rail. Mariah could hear Grayson's voice closely behind her.

"You come back here, you think you can outrun me"

Once Mariah had reached the bottom, she decided to run into the study. As soon as she entered she closed the door behind her and pushed some furniture against it. She went for the phone that was on the desk.

Immediately there was a banging on the door.

"Open up, right away, if you don't, you will regret it."

Mariah was in panic mode. She picked up the receiver and was going to dial 999 when she realised the phone line was dead. She looked under the desk and saw the wire cut. It then dawned on her that last night was a hoax, the weather hadn't caused the phone line to be dead, it was Grayson himself.

Mariah was trapped in the room, with a psycho trying to get to her. She crawled under the desk and stayed still.

Then the banging on the door stopped. Everything was quiet, a bit too quiet.

Mariah stared onto the carpet, hoping this was all a bad dream.

Suddenly a cold hand grabbed her shoulder.

"Princess, you look like you have seen a ghost"

Mariah's head shot up. Grayson had gotten in.

"How did you get in"

"Oh you're forgetting these old houses have more than one way into a room"

"GET OFF ME NOW"

"You never complained last night when I twisted your arm, STAND UP NOW"

Mariah remembered the vision, it was real, it was him who beat her up.

Mariah got up and spat in his face and made a run for it.

"Oh no you don't"

He grabbed her arm and slapped her hard across the face, causing her to fall over and hit her head against the sofa.

Mariah cried out in pain.

"Not so tough now are you, oh whats wrong, can't stand a bit of pain, you will pay for what you have done"

Mariah mumbled something.

"I wonder what to do with you now"

[eppsy]

Omg, how evil can Grayson get. Please post more soon. x

[hann18]

Chapter 18

Louisa felt guilty about not speaking to Mariah, but after all the things she said about Roger, Louisa felt that talking to Mariah would make things worse. All week Mariah hadn't turned up to class, she hoped she was alright, probably just feeling a little paulie.

Roger had arrived to see Louisa.

"Roger, hey, this is a surprise, you never usually meet me after class"

"I have something to show you, a surprise, come with me, I'm sure you will like it"

Roger pulled Louisa to his car, he drove into the country.

"Where are you taking me"

"You'll see we are nearly there"

Roger drove the car up a lane. Right up ahead was a big huge castle, he parked just outside.

"Here we are"

"Wow, this is what you wanted to show me"

The two of them got out.

"I've bought it, think of it as your wedding present"

"Thanks Roger, wow, me living in a castle, so can we go in"

"Err not now darling, I have the decorators inside, its not ready, there is something I need to get rid of first, then I promise you everything will be perfect"

"Aww thanks"

They both got back in the car and it drove off.

------------------------------------------------

Mariah was in a dark room, her head ached like mad. She remembered what happened, her dad had physically attacked her and she figured he must have her locked away somewhere.

Mariah felt awful, she had no idea how long she had been locked up. It was driving her mad. All her painful memories of her time at Oakwell, all came back. She had a flashback.

Mariah was being kicked and beaten by that horrible woman. She was being dragged along the floor, causing scratches and burns on her legs and arms.

Mariah drifted in and out of sleep. Then she thought she heard someone. There was a flash of light, someone was in the room with her. She could hear the breathing and the footsteps.

Then there was a voice. It was Grayson.

"You're still alive then, you haven't eaten the food I left, I didn't poison it if thats what you are afraid of"

"If you did poison it, I would eat it, just to get away from you," Mariah snapped at him.

He then grabbed her face and slapped it really hard. Then he grabbed one arm and twisted it really hard. Mariah cried out in pain.

"You know, maybe bumping you off, won't be a bad idea after all, I'm sure you heard about my father, his untimely demise"

Mariah gulped. Right now she was sure he killed him, after all he had killed others too.

"Yes, shooting accident it was, poor man, must have been terrible for him, but I myself don't believe in accidents, everything happens for a reason"

Mariah was getting nervous. Then he got up and left the room, locking it behind him. Twenty minutes later he returned holding something long.

Mariah could just about make out what it was, it was a gun, a shotgun to be precise.

Grayson walked into the room and sat down by her.

"You see princess, this is the very gun that made my father meet his maker"

Mariah was really scared, she tried not to show it. But she was shaking.

"Would you like to hold it, princess"

"GET THAT BLOODY THING AWAY FROM ME"

"Oh don't be like that, look at it,"

Mariah turned away.

"I SAID LOOK AT IT, YOU UNGRATEFUL GIRL,"

After saying that he slapped her hard across the face. Then Grayson grabbed Mariah and made him look at him.

"Now, then, why don't you just hold the gun, it won't kill you, as long as you are careful"

"I don't want to, get...away....from.....me"

Grayson laughed evily.

"Princess, I am losing patience with you, NOW HOLD THE DAMN THING"

Mariah was really scared now, a total headcase with a shotgun was sitting right next to her.

Slowly and carefully Mariah reached out and held the gun lightly in her hands.

"Good girl, that wasn't so bad now was it"

Mariah was in tears, she was glad the worst was over, or was it. She had no idea what was going to happen next.

[eppsy]

Omg, Grayson is a evil manipulative div.

I hope Mariah survives and Louisa sees what 'Roger' is really like.

Please post more soon. x

[hann18]

Chapter 19

Mariah had cracked, she had thought it was over. Grayson had left the room leaving Mariah in tears. A bit later on he returned.

"Hello princess"

"KEEP AWAY FROM ME"

"Thats no way to speak to your father, is it"

"YOU'RE NO FATHER OF MINE"

Grayson just stood there thinking. He then walked up to her and slapped her hard across the face.

"I have something for you"

Grayson then showed Mariah the shotgun from earlier. He then tied a blindfold around her eyes. Mariah screamed but he slapped her again.

"We will see how brave you think you are now"

Grayson sat down next to her and grabbed her, he then put the gun up to her head and laughed evily. He could see Mariah was going mad.

"Did I tell you this was the same gun that killed my father"

Mariah said nothing.

"ANSWER ME"

Mariah nodded.

"I didn't hear that, NOW ANSWER ME"

"Yeah, you did"

"Thats better"

"You know Mariah, they never did find out how he was killed. They said it was a suicide, but, you never know, there are a lot of twisted people out there"

Mariah started shaking. She couldn't see a thing, she knew he was going to pull the trigger any minute. She could feel the gun right against her head.

"Well come on then, speak, he was your grandfather"

Then Mariah snapped.

"YOU KNOW WHAT, HE'S BETTER OFF DEAD, HE PROBABLY KILLED HIMSELF TO GET AWAY FROM A PATHETIC EXCUSE FOR A SON"

That made Grayson even more mad.

"You are going to regret that"

Grayson punched Mariah across the face, causing her to roll over.

"I have been very patient with you Mariah, but not now"

Grayson grabbed Mariah's hair and pulled very hard dragging her along the floor. Mariah was screaming.

"OH SHUT UP"

Then everything went quiet. Suddenly he had gotten calmer. He looked at her false nails she was wearing.

"Those nails of yours, they look very beautiful, well beautiful things are made to be destroyed"

All of a sudden he lunged at her and grabbed her hand. He violently snapped them off, causing Mariah to cry out in pain, the pain was unbearable. He did the same with her other hand. When he finished he stood there laughing evily.

Grayson then grabbed the shotgun and put it to Mariah's head again. He could tell she was shaking, but carried on sadistically.

"I'm terribly sorry about your nails, but I'm sure you'll understand I had to do that"

Mariah had no idea what he was going to do next, he was capable of anything.

"You know Mariah, I can pull this trigger any time I want and finish you off, I have no further use for you"

"If my mum were here, she wouldn't of let you carry on"

"You know Mariah, there are some things you should know about your mum, you see she was only a surrogate and she was only having you so she could get to me. You know I could have gone along with her, but I didn't"

"Didn't what"

"Oh your dearest mother, she never wanted you, she almost had you aborted, but I stopped her"

"Liar"

"Really Mariah, you know slander isn't right"

"I hate you"

"I really don't like you Mariah, with you out of the way, me and Louisa will be the happiest couple in the world"

"You're deluded"

"Oh am I, Mariah, you're just an infection Mariah, a disease, a disease that must be killed immediately"

Mariah gulped. She couldn't see anything, but she could feel the shotgun against her head. He was serious about murder.

"Well Mariah, it was nice knowing you"

"Well I'll see you in hell then, Larry," Mariah used the name that he hated so much. If it was going to be her last words, she would use an insult.

Mariah heard the trigger being pulled, then all of a sudden there was a very loud bang, the gun had gone off, but why was she still here.

Grayson pulled the blindfold off Mariah and left the room laughing evily.

[eppsy]

Omg, he is so evil. I hope he dies.

Please post more soon. x

[tomsgirl]

More soon please x

[hann18]

Chapter 20

Mariah had cracked, she had no idea how long had passed since Grayson had tried to shoot her. He was playing mind games with her, she was drained of energy. Grayson had slapped her a number of times, she couldn't take it any longer. Mariah decided she was going to try and escape.

In a while, the door opened and there stood Grayson, looking as evil as always.

"Princess, how are you this morning"

Mariah didn't answer

"ANSWER ME YOU BRAT"

Mariah looked up and gave a sickly smile. "Oh I'm fine, father"

Grayson didn't look happy at what she said.

"I'm sure you are, I've brought you some porridge"

"Thanks, you are so kind, just stick it over there"

Grayson went over to the corner and put the bowl down. Then Mariah used all her strength to try and push him over. Mariah jumped up and threw herself towards him. Grayson was too fast, he noticed what she was about to do and dodged out of the way. He then grabbed her,

"Oh I'm sorry, I guess you weren't lucky, were you"

Mariah spat at him and bit hard on his hand causing Grayson to scream. Mariah knew she bit him hard because he started to bleed.

"YOU BRAT"

Grayson loosened his grip on her, then Mariah ran to the open door. It was daytime. She sprinted down the corridors and stairs and made it to the entrance hall.

Mariah knew he was coming after her. She heard him screaming at her.

"YOU, COME BACK HERE, BRAT, I'M NOT FINISHED WITH YOU"

Mariah ran to the front door and saw her handbag there. She picked it up and opened the huge doors. It was a windy day, the cold air was right in her face. Mariah didn't care, she legged it down the hill and to the main road.

In the distance Mariah saw a vehicle, it looked like a bus. She couldn't see a bus stop so she ran in the road towards it.

The bus was getting nearer and it had to stop all of a sudden. The driver wondered what on earth was going on, someone standing in the road. The driver opened the doors, Mariah jumped on.

"Next time missy, use the bus stop, you're lucky I'm in a good mood, or I would have just run you over"

"Thanks," Mariah was out of breath.

"Where do you want to go?"

"Leeds"

"£6.00, please"

Mariah handed over the cash and sat down at the back of the bus. She gazed out of the back window and saw Grayson running very fast. The bus started to move and was going at a faster speed than he could run.

Mariah slowly turned away. She was glad the bus was coming at that time any later and he would have caught her.

------------------------------------------------------

Mariah had no idea how long she had been away for. Just then, an old lady started to talk to her.

"Are you alright dear, you look terrible"

"I'm fine, really, I am, you couldn't tell me todays date could you?"

"Oh of course, dear, it is May 14th"

Mariah couldn't believe it. She had stupidly gone to that castle on May 6th. She had been gone just over a week. Mark and Cassie would be worried sick. She would have to tell them the truth, not that they would probably believe her.

Mariah decided to have a bit of a rest and think about what do to. After a good long think, the bus was coming into Leeds and her stop was soon.

Mariah got off the bus and decided to meet Mark in work. Mark was a banker in Leeds. As she entered the bank, people looked at her. It wasn't surprising being as she looked like a ghost and had cuts and scratches all over her face.

Mariah went up to the reception desk. "Hi, is Mark Barnaby in today, I really need to see him"

"Yes, madam, can I take a name"

"Mariah Sugden, he's my guardian"

The clerk dialled a number and then spoke to Mariah.

"He is free now, he's in room seven, on the nineteenth floor, take the lift"

"Thankyou"

Mariah got in the lift and pressed the buttons. The lift went fast, it was one of those ultra modern glass lifts which gave a view of the outside. Soon enough the lift had arrived at the floor. Mariah walked out.

She had never been to Mark's workplace before, the room wasn't difficult to find. Mariah knocked on the door, any minute now she felt like she was going to break down in tears.

"Come," was the reply on the other side of the door.

Mariah opened the door and slowly walked in. Mark looked up, he was shocked at what he saw.

"My God, Mariah, whats happened"

He got up and ran up to her.

Mariah just broke down and sat down on the sofa.

"Mariah, has someone attacked you, you have to tell me"

"It, was, him, that psycho of a dad of mine"

"What, I don't understand"

"Grayson Sinclair, he lured me into this old house he had, then he drugged my cup of tea, and locked me in a dark room for days, he beat me, many times, then he pretended to shoot me"

"Your dad, that explains why you haven't been home, for over a week"

"I managed to escape, only just, there was a bus coming, he's evil"

Mariah cried some more. Mark sat down next to her and put his arm around her.

"I thought he was dead, how did he get you there"

"I thought he was too, he's been alive all the time, playing mind games with me, says he wants to make me pay for just leaving him at the cliff edge. Anyway a few weeks back I went in this coffee shop in the city centre, this man came up to me, saw me reading my dance books. Then he told me his partner was a choreographer. Stupid me, I believed him. I met him again because he told me she would be there, she didn't turn up. Then a week later I called the number he gave me and was told to go to a house where I would meet her.

She wasn't there, she never came. Thats where it all started, he abused me. Then when I came around I realised who it was, it was Grayson. To disguise himself he wore a blonde wig and green contact lenses. He also changed his accent."

Mark looked very worried.

"Does he know where you are now"

"I don't think so, he just saw me get on the bus"

"We have to go to the police, Mariah"

"No, thats not a good idea"

"Why ever not, what he did was illegal, he needs to be stopped"

"Its not that easy, you see he is very careful, he has faked his own death, nobody believes me. You don't know what he looks like, it won't work"

"Oh well, perhaps not. Surely there is somebody who knows what he looks like, Mariah"

Mariah shook her head, but immediately stopped. "Hang on, there might be one person who can help"

"Who?"

"My uncle, Alasdair Sinclair, he is Grayson's younger brother."

[footy]

good story please update

[eppsy]

Great update. Loving this story loads. Please psot more soon. x

[hann18]

Chapter 21

Days had passed since Mariah had escaped from that dark room that Grayson had locked her in. Mark and Cassie really wanted Mariah to call the police, but she would have none of it. Mariah knew the police wouldn't believe her. Mariah was reading a book up in her room when she remembered about Alasdair.

Quickly Mariah jumped onto the computer and logged into her Hotmail account. There were 100 e-mails in her inbox, they were mainly spam, a few of those dodgy ones from so called banks. Mariah was just about to give up when at the bottom of the second page there was a message from someone called Alasdair.

Mariah eagerly opened it, not sure at what she would find. Then Mariah began to read the message.

Hello, my name is Alasdair Sinclair. I had no idea my brother had a daughter. Well he wouldn't tell me, me and him fell out of touch a while back. So you are Mariah, my niece. You sounded really upset in your message, I have no idea what is going on. Look here is my number, get in touch if you want.

All the best
Alasdair

Mariah couldn't believe it, he actually got back to her. Mariah dialled the number on her mobile. She was thinking of what to say, maybe she should just forget about it. Just as Mariah was going to hang up, there was a voice.

"Hello, Alasdair Sinclair speaking"

"Hi, look, er, my name is Mariah Sugden, I wrote you an e-mail. I just got your reply," Mariah spoke nervously.

Alasdair sounded happy. "Yes, hello Mariah, look I had no idea I even had a niece. Like I said in the message me and your father are no longer in touch. Are you and him in a bit of a fight"

"Well you could say that, he's twisted, the things he has done, they are unforgivable. Listen I really need your help"

"My help?"

"Look, I understand if you don't want to get involved, but please, you might be the only person who can help me"

"Mariah, stop, I'd like to help you, really I would. What has he done?"

"Well I have to be brief, cause my call credit is nearly out. Let me say it, that brother of yours is a murderer, kidnapper, liar, manipulator and he is violent"

"Oh no, I had no idea, listen I'll help you, right now I am in London, I could come and see you, then we can talk more about him. Where would you like to meet?"

Mariah decided to give him the address where she was living at the moment.

"Okay Mariah, I will try to be there between 3 and 4pm tomorrow, It was really nice to talk to another relative, I have to go now, but I will see you tomorrow, goodbye Mariah"

"Bye"

Mariah put the phone down. If her uncle couldn't help her, then she was all alone, Grayson wouldn't be able to be stopped. Mariah hoped for the best.

[tomsgirl]

Please post more soon x