The Nightmare Had Just Begun

[eppsy]

Great Update. Please post more soon.

[footy]

great please more sooon

[hann18]

Chapter 22

The next day Mariah was waiting for Alasdair to arrive. She hadn't told Mark and Cassie about him arriving. They were out all day.

Around 3.30 the doorbell rang, Mariah jumped up and opened the door. A man with blondish brown hair dressed in a suit was on the other side. He looked slightly younger than Grayson.

"Hi, you must be Alasdair?"

"Thats right, is Mariah in?"

"You're speaking to her"

"Hello, Mariah, we spoke on the phone yesterday"

"Come on in"

Alasdair walked in, Mariah shut the door.

"Take a seat, can I get you anything, tea, coffee"

"Cup of tea please, two sugars"

"Okay"

Mariah went in the kitchen and made a pot of tea. After it was ready she brought the teapot into the sitting room and put it on the coffee table.

"So do you live here with your mum, Mariah?"

"Actually, my mum died, she was murdered. I live here with my foster parent Mark Barnaby and his partner Cassie"

Mariah sat down.

"I'm so sorry to here about your mum. So what about your dad, you said you needed my help"

"Yeah, its a really long story, but it is important you hear, you might be the only person who can help me out"

Alasdair nodded.

"It all started just over a year ago. I lived with my mum, Katie Sugden in a flat in Leeds. Then when I was sixteen funny things started to happen. I noticed a man waiting outside the school, this had been happening for quite some time. Then when I was walking home, I noticed a car was following me, it was then I realised it was my dad, Grayson.

At the time, I never thought he was my dad, just a weirdo. Then the police came and he showed them a birth certificate. I was shocked but glad at the same time I had a dad. All my life I had wished for a dad, now I know why people say that famous saying - be careful what you wish for.

I met up with my dad a few times, but in secret of course, I couldn't tell my mum, she would go mad. Then one day in school the police came to see me, told me my mum had committed suicide with a gun. The only person at that time I could confide in was my best friend Tish."

Alasdair interrupted. "What about your dad, couldn't you have gone to him?"

"The thought did cross my mind, but something told me not to. Soon the funeral came, my mum was buried. Tish was with me all the time, then something strange happened, she decided to leave the cemetery early. Cemeteries always did creep her out. I never saw her again, well not for weeks and weeks.

After the funeral, my dad was there. He had come to see me. He said it was a good idea if I moved in with him at his house in Emmerdale. Stupid me, I agreed. The first few weeks at his house were alright. Then when I told him I was going to college, to study dance, he turned sour. Grayson was very against me studying dance, so he took it upon himself to send me to a private school and then a private college for me to study Economics. I hated the subject.

He was a complete control freak. In the college he put me in a class with just myself and the teacher. He told me it was so I got better teaching. Now I know the truth, it was so I would be alone and have no friends."

"Mariah, why would your dad want you with no friends"

"Like I said, he is a complete control freak. He wanted me to have nobody but him to speak to. When I ventured into the village one day, I met a local girl - Gabby Thomas. She was really nice. Then Grayson found out, he made up lies about her, saying her parents were murdered by Jimmy King, and that I would be next if I didn't keep away from her."

Alasdair choked on his tea and began to laugh.

"What the hell is so funny, oh I should have known you would think this is all one big joke," Mariah snapped.

"Mariah, calm down. I found the fact that Jimmy King to be a cold blooded killer, really stupid. The man is really soft, he couldn't hurt a fly. He was the ex husband of my ex wife, Sadie."

"Thats really confusing. Anyway, at first I believed him. Then things didn't seem to make sense. For starters Grayson didn't tell me about his poor wife Perdita. Then one day I found Tish's mobile phone in a shrub by the house. I decided to find out things, so I gave Grayson a sleeping draft. It gave me enough time to search the house. I went into the attic and found a number of things. Photographs, a diary and an old wedding dress.

I kept the photos and the diary and began to read. I started to realise what Grayson was like. Then one day when Grayson was out, I went into the village and bumped into Gabby. She had apparently come around one day to see me. Grayson had told her I was visiting family in Leeds. I had no family in Leeds. I told Gabby everything, what Grayson had said about Jimmy and her parents. It was then I met Matthew King."

After mentioning Matthew's name, Alasdair looked hurt.

"Did I say something wrong?"

"Its just Matthew King is the man Sadie left me for, right after we got married"

"Oh my god, look I had no idea. That was pretty mean, wasn't it"

"Mariah, carry on, I'd really like to here what happened after you met Matthew"

"Well I told Gabby about the diary and photos, she took them from me and gave them to Matthew. He knew right away who the woman in the photos were and who the diary belonged to. It was Perdita. Now I realised what Grayson was like. I refused to stay in that house with him. Matthew told me I could stay in Home Farm for a while. So I grabbed my things and left.

At Home Farm, Matthew told me all about Perdita, and what she was put through. Matthew also found out about my mum's suicide and was shocked. He found it hard to believe she was suicidal. When Grayson found out I was gone, he came to Home Farm to look for me. Gabby took me out the back entrance and to an old holiday village in the woods. I crashed in there.

It got quite lonely out there, especially at night. It was so quiet and dead around there. Then I thought I heard someone outside. I carefully peeked out of the window. I saw nobody, but I was sure they were hiding in the shadows. The next day Gabby came to see me, bringing food and drink. It was lucky she came at that time because Grayson was wandering around outside a bit later. He looked furious, I waited til he went away. I couldn't stay there any longer, I would go to London, that night.

Gabby took me back to Home Farm where Matthew gave me £500, then I was taken to the train station to go to London. I thought I had escaped Grayson, oh how I was wrong.

It was late when I got to London. I decided to spend the night in a hostel, I was so tired. The next day I went around a few places to look for work, but there was nothing. Then I got mugged and was only left with £50. I was spending the night camped out on the street. I was spotted by another girl sleeping rough, she told me of a place I could go with her to keep out of the weather.

The building was an old derelict place, but it was somewhere. I met other girls there. I told them about my ambition to dance and I was introduced to a woman who kept a dance club nearby. At the dance club I was told to give a performance. The woman was astonished, immediately she called other club owners in London and they came around to see me perform. I said my goodbyes to the girls and got in the car with one of the club owners.

The club owner was very pleased with me, she put me in a posh London hotel. That night I was dancing. I even made the headlines. I couldn't believe my luck when I was told that Christina Aguilera was looking for dancers to go on tour with her. I was chosen and I was to fly to Paris the next evening.

"That is excellent Mariah, did you go for it?"

"I accepted the offer, but something happened on the way to the airport. I was in a car crash and was taken to hospital immediately. I tried to leave, pleaded with doctors I had to go to Paris, but they told me the bad news. I was in no state in dance, I was too badly injured.

"I'm so sorry"

"Don't be. Just as I thought it couldn't get any worse. Who should turn up but Grayson. He had seen me on the news and had come to take me home. I told the staff I wouldn't go with him, that he was evil. Grayson told them I was ill, that I needed help. They believed them of course. Grayson pulled me into the car. I made a fuss, so when we were on the motorway he pulled into the services and drugged me. I couldn't move.

Before I knew it, I was back In Emmerdale. Grayson pretended like nothing had happened. It turned out he arranged the accident, so I couldn't go to Paris. My friends Matthew and Gabby turned up at the house, wanting to see me. Grayson made me lie for him, that I had made everything up. Grayson would lock me in my room, if I didn't cooperate.

I had to run away. I was just looking for the opportunity. Then Grayson had to go and see a client. While he was out Gabby and Matthew turned up, to speak to me. I told them everything that happened, they were horrified. I was taken to Home Farm. There I met Jimmy and Carl, Matthew's brothers. More things had come out. My mum didn't kill herself at all, she was murdered, by Grayson himself. He made it look like a suicide. Also Tish had been found. Grayson had abducted her and had her locked away in an old building on the moors. He did this so I wouldn't have any friends.

When Grayson had arrived at Home Farm. He was in a temper. Violently he picked me up and threw me in the car. He took me to this old house, where there was an evil woman. Grayson left me there with her. The place was somewhere for parents to dump their children when they had enough of them. I hated this woman, she was meant to be one of those strict religious types, she always carried her bible with her. I wasn't afraid of her, I stood up to her. The other girls couldn't believe it. Apparently I was the only person who had the guts to do that. Then one night the girls took me to an attic room. We drunk bottles of vodka and got heavily drunk. Unfortunately the woman found us.

She sent the other girls to their rooms. The woman kept me there. She beat me a number of times, saying I must pay for what I had done. She dragged me along the floor and locked me in this closet for a period of time. I had no idea how long I was there for, it was complete torture. I started to hallucinate.

Then when I thought I was about to die. One of the girls found me. They took me downstairs and had drugged the woman. I was going to leave, I said my goodbyes and wandered down the driveway. All of a sudden I saw a red Range Rover coming. It was Grayson, come to get me. I ran back to the building but I was too slow. He caught me and dragged me into the vehicle.

Grayson drove to this picnic area, by a cliff edge. We talked, and he tried to say he was sorry. He started trying to justify all the things he had done. I wasn't going to fall for it. He tried to touch my shoulder but I pulled away and all of a sudden he fell over the edge.

I was shaken, but felt no sorrow, after all how could I forgive or forget what he did to me. I went back to Home Farm with Gabby and the Kings. I was going to sign on to a dance course at college. Everything was going well till I realised I left my diary at Mill Cottage. I couldn't leave it there, so I went back for it.

I ran to Mill Cottage and got my diary. Then I heard someone in the room, I turned and there he was, Grayson. It was then I realised he must have survived the fall. I ran out of the house as quickly as possible and not looking back until I got to the cafe. I sat there, had a drink and something to eat.

By now, I was very worried. Then I heard Grayson talking to Viv, I had to get out there right away and tell everyone what had happened. Back at Home Farm, nobody believed me. They all said it was in my mind, but I knew I wasn't just making it up.

I was so determined to prove them wrong, I took the Kings to the cafe, where they could ask Viv. I couldn't believe it, she denied it. I have no idea why. Then when we went to Mill Cottage, there was a for sale sign going up. I knew Grayson was up to something.

As the weeks went by, I signed on to the course and met a girl called Louisa. One day I returned to Home Farm and found police everywhere. The Kings and Gabby were all found dead. They were murdered. A social worker came to see me, she took me to this house where I was to stay until someone came to collect me.

My stay there was brief. A man called Mark Barnaby was my foster parent, he brought me here to live. Then I met his partner Cassie. After college one day I decided to go in a coffee shop, it was really busy. Then this man came and sat by me. He had blonde hair and striking green eyes. He seemed very familiar, then when I took out my dance book he started questioning me about it. Saying his partner was a choreographer, he gave me a card with her number on it.

Days later I decided to give her a ring. Chantelle her name was. I had found out the man was called Rhydian. When I rang he answered saying he would take a message and pass it on. I was going to meet Chantelle in a coffee shop. However when I went there, Rhydian came, saying Chantelle couldn't make it. We talked for a while.

My friend Louisa, had gotten involved in a relationship with a man called Roger. I knew he was a lot older than her, but I had never met him. Then one day she told me she had gotten engaged to him. Louisa also introduced me to him at the same time. I was horrified at who he was. He was calling himself Roger, but really he was Grayson. I tried telling Louisa this but she never believed me, Grayson stepped in saying he would call to have me taken away. I knew what he was planning, having me locked away. I knew better, I decided to step away.

Later on I decided to call Chantelle again. Rhydian answered, he told me to come to this address and Chantelle would be there. I was stupid enough to go there. When I got there the weather was changing, it looked like an old castle. Rhydian gave me a cup of tea, telling me I should stay overnight because of the storm. I said I would call at taxi but the phone was dead. Before I knew it I felt all dizzy and everything was spinning. Visions came to my mind.

When I came around I found I was lying on a bed in a room, I tried to get out, but the door was locked. Then a bit later on the door opened and Rhydian was there. I shouted at him, he looked evil. It was then he revealed his true self. He wasn't Rhydian, he was Grayson. Chantelle never existed. He wore a blonde wig and had green contact lenses. He could also change his accent so he sounded different.

It was there he started to beat me, he dragged me into this dark room. Slapping me a number of times. I had no idea how long I was there for, in the dark. When he returned he was carrying a shotgun. I didn't know what to think. He went on telling me about his father meeting his death with the same gun. He kept asking me if I wanted to hold it. It made me crack. The man is nuts.

That wasn't even the worst part. He blindfolded me, put the gun up to my head, saying horrible things. The ordeal went on for ages, I don't know how long altogether, but too long. Then there was a gunshot. I wondered why I was still alive. It was then I realised he was firing blanks. I had just been put through a mock execution. He removed the blindfold and left the room laughing.

Other things he has done to me include ripping my nails off. That hurt, a lot. I had fake nails put on, he ripped them off but my real ones came off too.

I had to escape. I took my chance the next time I saw him, I jumped on him and ran out of the room. I knew he was close behind, but I ran down the grassy hill outside and onto the main road. There was a bus coming so I just got on that. I was lucky. Then I meet you."

Mariah finished what she had to say. Alasdair looked appalled.

"Oh god, Mariah, what has he done to you. I knew he was a bit crafty, but not this, have you gone to the police?"

"I can't they won't believe me, he faked his own death, you are the only one who knows what he looks like, if you can help, theres a good chance he can be stopped"

"What about Louisa. Has she married him yet?"

"No, but I know they are doing it in secret. I overheard them talking, it is in June sometime, I have the date written down somewhere. I know he doesn't love her"

"Why is he marrying her, do you think he has some ulterior motive?"

"Yeah, he is purely marrying her to get to me. He knows how much I hate him and how close me and Louisa are. He wants to mess my mind up at the same time"

"Seems possible. Listen Mariah, I'm going to help you. I will be staying in the area. You have my mobile number, you can call me"

"Thanks, Alasdair"

"Thats alright Mariah, you're my niece remember, I'll be happy to help you. I have to go now, It was nice meeting you"

Alasdair got up, Mariah showed him to the door. Mariah waved him off. Grayson was going to be stopped, one way or another.

[eppsy]

Wow, loved the update loads. Please post more soon.

[tomsgirl]

WoW I love this story Hann more soon please as I can't wait to see what happens next.

[tomsgirl]

More soon please.

[hann18]

Hey guys, sorry for the long update. Unfortunately had quite a bit of writers block.

Chapter 23

Mariah had been keeping in touch with her uncle Alasdair for quite some weeks now, she was relieved that she had someone to talk to about Grayson, he was the only one who believed her.

It was the 24th June, Louisa's wedding day. Mariah knew for quite some time what Louisa was going to do today. Fortunately for Mariah, neither Louisa or Grayson knew that they were overheard discussing the wedding arrangements.

Mariah was getting ready to go to Louisa's wedding. She had everything apart from a wedding invitation. It wasn't going to stop her going and stopping the wedding before it was too late.

Mariah heard a car approaching and looked out of the window. It was Alasdair, he had come to collect her. Mariah grabbed her Louis Vuitton bag loaded with evidence. There was Perdita's diary from the summer of 2007, photographs and a birth certificate. Mariah hoped that this would help her persuade Louisa that Grayson was lying.

Mariah headed downstairs. Mark was busy with a client at the bank and Cassie was visiting family. Mariah headed out of the house and got in Alasdair's car.

"Hello Mariah, are you all ready?"

"Yeah, you bet I am, we must get going, we gotta stop everything before its too late"

Alasdair drove towards Leeds.

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

Louisa was getting ready. It was her wedding day. She was just finishing having her make up done. Louisa was wearing a big white dress, it was going to be a very small wedding but she wanted to look her best.

Louisa was very excited and very happy to be getting married. Louisa knew she was making the right choice. As far as she was concerned Roger was prince charming. She just wished her best friend Mariah could be there, but she knew that wouldn't happen. Mariah hated him, and she had no idea why. Roger told her that Mariah was crazy and jealous, he also encouraged her not to tell her parents, they would only come between them.

The taxi had arrived. Louisa jumped in and headed to the registry office. When she got there she saw Roger there dressed in a suit. There was two men with him and a woman dressed in a trouser suit.

"Louisa, you look lovely, you ready"

"Ready as I'm going to be, who are these two gentlemen?" Louisa said quietly.

"Oh, they're our witnesses, I found them outside"

"Great, so what are we waiting for"

Everyone headed into the room in the registry office where the wedding was going to take place.

"Well if everyone is ready, we'll begin," the registrar started.

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

Alasdair and Mariah were almost there. They were looking for a parking spot.

"I hope we're not going to be too late, he doesn't love her, he wants to control her and mess with my mind at the same time"

"Calm down Mariah, everything will be fine, see I've found us a parking spot right by here"

Mariah breathed a sigh of relief. She couldn't wait to get out of the car.

"Well here we are, Leeds Registry Office"

They both hurried through the building. Mariah was feeling nervous and she wasn't the one getting married. She hurried to the woman on the front desk.

"Can I help you, madam?"

"Yes, which room can I find the wedding of Roger and Louisa," Mariah used his false name. It sounded weird saying it out loud.

"The ceremony is taking place as we speak in room 6, that is just up the stairs"

"Thanks"

Mariah and Alasdair ran upstairs. Mariah was ahead of him. Suddenly Alasdair tripped over one of those Henry hoovers. Mariah stopped and turned around.

"Are you alright?"

"I'll be fine Mariah, you go ahead, I just need a minute"

Mariah nodded and continued. The room was right at the end of the corridor, she ran through the double doors not hesitating. Everyone's attention was on Mariah as she burst through unexpectedly.

Louisa's face lit up when she saw Mariah, she ran to her.

"Mariah, you're here, I'm so glad you came."

However when Grayson saw Mariah he wasn't happy. There was an evil look in his eyes.

"What is the meaning of this, barging in like this"

The registrar spoke.

"Listen this is a wedding, its alright you turned up late, but now you have, just take a seat, and we'll carry on"

Mariah wanted to say something, but when she opened her mouth, nothing came out, it was like her voice had been stolen from her.

Mariah sat down. The registrar continued.

"Now where were we, ah yes, if there is any reason...."

Mariah jumped up and shouted.

"Of course there is a reason. Louisa listen to me, you can't marry him, he's not who he says he is and he is definitely not who you think he is"

"Listen, why don't you just get out," Grayson shouted.

Just then the doors burst open and in came Alasdair. The look on Grayson's face was confusion and surprise he never expected to see his younger brother.

"Mariah's right Louisa, your future husband has been telling you a pack of lies," said Alasdair.

Grayson interrupted. "Oh really, and who may I ask are you?"

"Oh you don't remember me do you, brother"

Louisa was shocked. The trance she was in seemed to be fading. She sat down.

"I have no brother"

Alasdair laughed in Grayson's face. "Thats right Grayson, keep telling yourself that. Mariah contacted me a few weeks back she told me everything, Grayson"

Louisa shook her head and shouted at Grayson, she went right up to him.

"You said your name was Roger, Mariah was right all along"

Grayson then grabbed Louisa. "My name is Roger, darling believe me, I have never seen these two freaks in my life"

Mariah then pushed Grayson allowing Louisa to get out of his grip.

In the struggle a wallet fell out. Alasdair picked it up, opened it and took out a driving license.

"Hey, you get your hands off of my property"

Grayson tried to get his wallet off of Alasdair, but was unsuccessful.

"Well Roger, it seems you are mistaken, look I have proof of your true identity"

Alasdair handed the plastic card to Louisa. There was a colour photo of Grayson along with his full name and date of birth. Louisa was in tears, the man who she thought she had fallen in love with was a complete fraud, she realised that Mariah had been telling her the truth all along.

"YOU LIAR"

Louisa marched up to Grayson and hit him hard across the face. What he did next was surprising. Instead of protesting, he just sat down in the corner of the room in silence.

Mariah sat down with Louisa and started showing her Perdita's diary and photographs. Alasdair carefully watched what Grayson was doing.

Louisa was in tears, especially after hearing all the things Grayson had done over the past year.

"Mariah, I am so sorry I didn't believe you, he was so convincing, forgive me please"

"How could I not," Mariah hugged Louisa.

Suddenly there was a loud noise, it sounded like something had smashed. Everyone looked to the other side of the room. A vase had smashed to the floor.

"Oh no, look at it," the registrar ran over to the floor all worked up.

Everyone's attention had now turned to the broken vase. This wasn't such a good idea. Mariah was about to help the registrar when she felt some hands grab her and pull her backwards. Then a knife was put up to her throat.

"Agghhhh, help," Mariah cried.

Mariah was pulled along to the corner of the room. Grayson had Mariah at knifepoint. Mariah looked terrified.

"Oh my God, Mariah," cried Louisa.

"See not so alert then, were you, especially you Alasdair, I was watching you, you're eyes were stuck on me. But then something caught your eye. I trust you liked my little stunt, then"

"Hang on, you destroyed the vase, do you know how old and valuable that was," the registrar cried.

Grayson laughed evilly. "Do you think I care about your pathetic antique, amazing what you can do with a cricket ball"

Louisa looked to the mess on the floor, a cricket ball wasn't far away. It would have probably gone unnoticed if Grayson didn't mention it.

Mariah was still scared, she tried not to let Grayson see. He could probably tell she was scared by her shaking.

The registrar was going to leave the room.

"Not so fast, if any of you leave, I will just have to slash this pretty neck of this brat of a daughter of mine," Grayson spoke evilly.

The registrar stayed in the room. Louisa sat down and the registrar behind her. The registrar took out her mobile phone and decided to send a text to reception. She did this discreetly.

The whole room was quiet. Then there was a sound of police cars in the distance. Grayson heard them.

"Oh I get it, someone called the police. Its a shame when they get here they won't have anyone to arrest"

Grayson jumped up still holding the knife to Mariah's throat.

He started backing towards a door. The sirens got louder.

Grayson pulled Mariah to the door, there was a staircase. It was the fire escape.

"Now, don't you go trying anything stupid. One wrong move and I dig this knife into you"

Mariah was really scared now. He pulled her down the stairs and through a door. His car was parked outside. Mariah was pushed inside. Grayson got in and drove off at speed down the busy street.

[eppsy]

Wow, Hann18 that was an amzing update.

It was just waht I needed. A chill out read.

Please post more soon.

[footy]

YAY! Please update soon

[hann18]

Chapter 24

"ARMED POLICE"

That was what Alasdair, Louisa and the Registrar heard when SO 19 burst through the doors. Unfortunately the police had a wasted journey. The three people stood there speechless. Eventually the police realised the person they wanted wasn't in the room.

A policeman entered the room, he looked like he was from CID.

"DCI Bradley here, we had a report of a nutter with a knife"

"You missed him, he went down there taking my niece with him," Alasdair said out loud.

"Great," muttered DCI Bradley. He didn't look very pleased. Immediately he sent some uniformed police down the way Grayson went.

"Right I want the whole area searched, this nutter is armed and dangerous," shouted Bradley.

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

"LET ME OUT," screamed Mariah.

"You know I can't do that," Grayson sounded calm.

"WHY CAN'T YOU"

"You ruined my wedding Mariah, I'm not letting you get away with it"

"Whats it to you, you never loved Louisa, you know that"

Grayson never answered that. Mariah knew she had got him.

"Whats wrong, cat got your tongue, see you can't do anything right can you, your mother would be so dissapointed"

That comment made Grayson mad with anger. He sped up the car right away and made a sharp turning down a street. Mariah was glad she used her seatbelt, otherwise she would have fallen out of her seat.

"I DON'T KNOW WHO YOU THINK YOU ARE TALKING TO ME LIKE THAT, YOU BRAT, I SHOULD TEACH YOU A LESSON"

Mariah wasn't scared of him anymore, she knew he wouldn't kill her. Psychological torture was more his style.

"Go right ahead"

Grayson wasn't expecting that kind of comment. He kept driving.

Mariah knew she was winning, she just hoped the police would find them soon.

"You know Louisa, won't marry you, not now she knows what kind of person you are, you thought I was going to sit back and let you ruin her life,"

"I should have finished you off when I had the chance"

"Oh but you did have the chance, more than one chance, you just didn't have the guts to pull the trigger, you're just a coward

"YOU THINK I DON'T HAVE THE GUTS, SO I'M A COWARD AM I"

"Yeah"

Grayson stopped the car all of a sudden.

"I could drive this car right into the water over there If I wanted to"

"Go on then"

Grayson started ranting on and on. Mariah spotted the knife, she immediately went to grab it. Grayson noticed and tried to stop her. There was a minor struggle.

Mariah noticed the switch to unlock the car doors, right away she pushed really hard on it. There was a clicking sound. Mariah didn't hang around, she pushed the door open and jumped out.

The area she was by a load of warehouses. Some looked derelict. Mariah didn't know where to run, but she couldn't hang around. She could hear Grayson shouting at her telling her to come back. Mariah wasn't paying attention, she had to get away.

Mariah ran really fast around a corner. She found an opening in a building. It was empty and very dark. Mariah felt intimidated but she had to hide. She found a corner behind some old rubbish and sat down very quiet.

Mariah could hear water dropping from the ceiling, suddenly she thought she heard someone, she wasn't very sure. Then the noise got louder, it was footsteps. Mariah carefully looked through a gap she saw someone. It was Grayson.

There was an evil look on his face, maybe even the look of a serial killer.

"Come out, come out, wherever you are," the sound of his voice brought shivers down Mariah's spine.

"I know you are in here, and when I find you, you'll be sorry"

Mariah was shaking. Possibly almost panicking. Without noticing Mariah fell back and knocked some rubbish over. She hoped Grayson wouldn't notice. Unfortunately for her, he did.

Grayson laughed evilly. "Well, well, well what do we have here then"

He looked over the rubbish and found a very nervous Mariah.

"You honestly thought I wouldn't find you, now what ever shall I do with you"

All at once Mariah jumped up and pushed the rubbish over, causing Grayson to lose his balance. Mariah ran through the entrance and back into daylight hoping to escape his clutches.

[eppsy]

Wow, love the suspense. Great Updates.

Hope Mariah does escape his clutches.

Please post more soon. x

[footy]

great update

[tomsgirl]

Great updates more soon please.

[hann18]

Chapter 25

Mariah ran out of the warehouse as fast as she could. At that moment she couldn't look back, Grayson was not far away and he was dangerous. The area outside the warehouses was deserted. Unfortunately the area wasn't familiar to Mariah. She didn't recognise it, it wasn't where Mariah had run in. Perhaps the warehouses had several entrances.

The gap between the two warehouses was narrow. Mariah started to panic. She was lost. It wasn't the best of places to be lost, besides it was getting dark. Mariah found a pile of old timber and crouched behind it. Mariah looked around, there was nobody in sight, that made things more worrying, she had no idea where Grayson was, he could be injured or even lost. All different thoughts went through her mind. Horrible thoughts.

Mariah waited a while, then decided to try and find a way out, before it got too dark. Carefully Mariah got up and started to make a move. All the way Mariah looked behind her every now and again. There was no sign of Grayson. However there were many nooks and crannies where he could be hiding. Also in her mind was the thought that Grayson was capable of anything, he had murdered before so he could do it again, especially as he had a knife on him.

The buildings all looked the same. It frustrated Mariah, making her panic even more. They seemed to never end, go on forever. Forever was a very long time. Mariah decided to calm down as she carried on walking. She figured if Grayson was going to attack he would have done so already. Mariah knew something must have happened to him. That thought cheered her up a little.

Mariah continued to walk. The road started to widen, she knew she must be almost out of the worst. Mariah thought too fast, before she knew it she felt two hands violently grab her from behind.

"Aggghhh"

Mariah was pushed to the floor and kicked very hard. Mariah felt herself drained of energy, then all she heard was a very familiar voice.

"You will pay"

Mariah used her strength to look around. It was Grayson holding a knife.

An evil look was over his face. Mariah knew he could kill her just like that, after all he was a murderer. She wondered how many people he had killed. There was her mum, Gabby, Jimmy, Matthew and Carl. There was probably more she didn't know about. Mariah had to be careful if she was going to get away safe.

"Oh really, how many times have you said that to me"

Grayson laughed evilly. He could tell she was scared of him. He roughly grabbed Mariah and dragged her to the side. Mariah cried out in pain, he took pleasure in seeing her in pain.

Grayson then sat down by her, his mood appeared different. Mariah had seen it all before. Grayson could change his personality from psychotic to calm and happy. He was so unpredictable.

"What do you want, if you're going to kill me, then go ahead," Mariah said all of a sudden.

He laughed at her comment. He reminded Mariah a lot of Ted Bundy.

"Don't be stupid princess, why would I kill my only daughter, you know I would never hurt you"

"Hurt me, oh of course you wouldn't. You only beat me many times and faked my execution. Your deranged, to think when i lived with my mum, I wished I could know my dad"

"Well Mariah, you should be careful what you wish for, because you might just get it"

Mariah wished in her mind she could get away from this area. She knew that would never happen.

"Oh you are not honestly sad that Louisa saw through you"

The psychotic Grayson was back. He grabbed her and put the knife up to her throat. Mariah started to struggle for breath. She felt the cold sharp metal up against he skin. If he pressed harder, blood would soon appear.

"You always have to spoil things don't you Mariah, me and Louisa would have been happily married now, but you had to interfere didn't you, along with that uncle of yours"

"I thought you didn't have a brother"

Grayson's eyes had a murderous look right now. He stared right at Mariah still holding onto the knife. He said nothing.

"You don't scare me"

Mariah then used all her strength to kick Grayson. She kicked him really hard which caused him to drop the knife and cry out in pain. Mariah grabbed the knife and jumped up. She ran away, not looking back. Mariah felt full of energy.

Mariah heard Grayson shout at her. Mariah wasn't listening. She kept running. The road twisted and the warehouses started to spread out. Then Mariah spotted Grayson's car. She instantly recognised the area as where she was earlier on.

Mariah kept running to the car, hoping to escape.

[eppsy]

Wow, powerful update.

Please write more soon.

[tomsgirl]

WoW yet another great update here poor Mariah.
More soon please.

[hann18]

Chapter 26

Grayson's car was in sight. Relief came over Mariah. Very quickly she ran to the car. The doors were still open. As soon as Mariah got to the car she stopped, she needed to catch her breath. Mariah looked behind her, suddenly she saw something moving in the shadows, from where she had just ran from.

Mariah had to be quick, she jumped in the driver's seat. To her horror the keys were missing. Grayson must have them. Mariah looked back to the shadows, she could see him clearly. He had an evil grin on his face. He was advancing at a steady speed towards her, he was zombie like. He had something in his hand. Mariah couldn't make out what, then he raised his hand shaking it. They were the car keys.

Grayson shouted out to her.

"LOOKING FOR SOMETHING"

Mariah jumped back in the car, she had to do something. The voice in her head told her to hotwire the car.

Quickly and carefully Mariah began, she was worried at the same time he would get to her before she was finished, she could hear the footsteps coming nearer. Mariah had finished, she hoped she had done it correctly.

Mariah jumped on the accelerator. She had never driven a car before, so she didn't know how to drive, but she had seen many people driving, so she just repeated what they did.

Mariah didn't know which way to drive, the area seemed to go round in circles. She kept driving, she was glad to get away from Grayson. Then she felt something touch her shoulder.

"What the hell," she muttered.

"Princess, I never knew you could drive"

The voice made Mariah's blood run cold. Grayson was in the car with her.

"GET OUT NOW"

"You can't tell me to get out of my own car, I bought it Mariah"

Mariah was petrified, she wondered how he had gotten in. She had never noticed him. Mariah noticed that he had changed his mood, he was the nice friendly Grayson now.

"Mariah, princess, why don't you let me drive"

"NO"

"If you insist, I'm sitting in the front though"

Grayson climbed into the front. This made Mariah really edgy. It showed with her driving.

"You're a very edgy driver, aren't you"

"Oh I wonder why that is," sarcasm came out of Mariah's mouth.

"There's no need to be sarcastic Mariah. What is it they say about sarcasm, its the lowest form of wit"

Mariah hated him even more, he was playing games with her mind. She had enough of this.

"Look, I know what you're doing. All these mind games, they're not working, so you will have to think of another way to torment me"

Grayson wasn't expecting that comment, He changed his mood, he was now evil and psychotic. He started shouting and saying random things.

Mariah pressed her foot harder on the accelerator, turning the car around bends at high speed. This shut Grayson up.

"Mariah, what are you doing, slow down, you will both has us killed"

Mariah laughed at that comment.

"Thats rich, coming from you. After all you're a murderer"

Grayson said nothing.

Then out of nowhere he tried to take control of the car. Mariah tried to stop him.

"What are you doing, I'm trying to drive here"

"I'm trying to stop you killing us both, now let me drive"

"NO"

"Mariah, you will thank me"

"GET OFF"

Suddenly the car swerved into a wall, causing a crash. Mariah and Grayson were knocked out. This caused the airbags to appear. The car was a wreck.

Gradually Mariah started to come around, she opened her eyes, wondering where on earth she was. Then she remembered the crash. Grayson had tried to take control of the car, Mariah wouldn't let him.

Mariah felt fine, then she attempted to get out. Before she did, she looked at Grayson, he was sitting there all quiet, he was still alive. Mariah could hear him muttering something, then she noticed his eyes start to open a bit.

A smell caught Mariah's attention. It was a burning smell.

[eppsy]

Omg, what an amazing update.

Please post more soon. x

[tomsgirl]

What an action packed episode more please soon.

[hann18]

Chapter 27

The burning smell was getting stronger. Mariah started to panic, her leg was jammed. She tried to pull away but still her legs wouldn't budge. Mariah looked at Grayson. He looked awful.

Mariah decided to try again. She tried harder this time. One huge pull, then her legs were free. She could finally get out. The car was filling up with smoke. It could go up any minute, Mariah was sure of that.

Mariah thought Grayson was dead, but when she looked at him he was just about alive, he was choking. He did look helpless.

Mariah tried the car door it opened letting air through. Mariah decided to climb out. She couldn't move fast, her legs were aching badly. Mariah fell out onto the floor.

She turned back and looked in the car. Grayson was looking at her helplessly. He was trying to say something but couldn't. He started coughing violently.

"Hel..p, plea..se"

Grayson slowly held out his hand. He wanted Mariah to help him.

Mariah just stood there looking at him.

"Mariah, help me"

Mariah thought she better help him, he could die. Then she thought of darker things. He deserved to die, he did torment her this past year, besides he was a murderer, he should pay for that, let him rot.

These darker thoughts got stronger, she looked at him with an I couldn't care less look.

Grayson was still pleading for her to help him.

"Mariah, you have...to...help...me"

Mariah shook her head.

"No chance, It was nice knowing you, have a nice time in Hell"

Grayson's eyes went wide.

"You...can't...leave me here...I'm your father"

"I don't have a father"

With that Mariah closed the door, and began to walk away from the wreckage. Not long after the car went up in flames. Mariah looked back.

"Oh my God"

She just stood there and thought. She could have helped Grayson, but she didn't. Mariah wasn't going to try and feel guilty, all the things he did to her, her friends and her family.

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

It wasn't long before the fire brigade arrived on the scene. Mariah had rang them. The police and an ambulance too. Also present were Louisa and Alasdair.

The fire brigade extinguished the flames. A fireman came up to Mariah and told her that she had a lucky escape, the passenger wasn't so lucky. The police also came and asked Mariah some questions about what happened. They told her she wasn't to blame for what happened. Paramedics also checked Mariah over, she had some cuts and bruises, but was otherwise fine.

Mariah stood there looking at the wreckage. There was no body, the fire saw to that. Louisa and Alasdair asked her about a funeral. She told them there was no need. What was there to say goodbye to. Nothing. Mariah wouldn't even have the ashes collected. It would just be the car furnishings.

After everyone had gone. Mariah just sat there in quiet. This time she was sure of it, Grayson was dead.

It's funny that way, you can get used
To the tears and the pain
What a child will believe
You never loved me

You can't hurt me now
I got away from you, I never thought I would
You can't make me cry, you once had the power
I never felt so good about myself

Seems like yesterday
I lay down next to your boots and I prayed
For your anger to end
Oh Father I have sinned

You can't hurt me now
I got away from you, I never thought I would
You can't make me cry, you once had the power
I never felt so good about myself

Oh Father, if you never wanted to live that way
If you never wanted to hurt me
So why am I running away?

Maybe someday
When I look back I'll be able to say
You didn't mean to be cruel
Somebody hurt you too

You can't hurt me now
I got away from you, I never thought I would
You can't make me cry, you once had the power
I never felt so good about myself

-The End-

[eppsy]

Wow, wow, wow. Hann18 that story was excellent. You are a talented writer.

Such a shame it has come to an end.

Please write another story soon. x

[hann18]

Thanks for all the great comments everyone. I had to get this story finished soon, because I got uni starting tomorrow and I wouldn't have had much time to write.

I have been thinking of writing a trilogy, but If I do it won't be for a while.