Dreamer by Kierstyn Faith Barbour (best historical biographies TXT) 📕

The sound of screams riddled with pain rang throughout the secluded country home. The metallic smell of blood wafted through the air. The horrors of these two things were witnessed by nine year old Kaylee Reynolds while she was hiding in the linen closet. She didn't know what was happening, only that her parents had told her to hide. Kaylee whimpered as she huddled behind the sheets and towels, unaware: but suspecting that her parents were being tortured in the other room. Kaylee yelped every time she heard a scream and when all went silent, she started to cry in earnest. The girl sobbed for what seemed like hours before crawling out of the closet, looking for her parents.
Kaylee’s feet made tiny thumping noises on the ground as she roamed around the house, going room to room howling for her parents. After Kaylee was done looking through her parent’s room she moved into the hallway. She stared at the broken picture frames that were strewn across the hallway. As the nine year old walked, she studied her reflection in the small broken pieces of glass. Kaylee could see the fear in her eyes and tear’s that stained her cheeks. Without saying a word she continued down the hallway, resuming the search for her parents.
She had almost given up hope when she reached the living room and was met with a gut-wrenching sight. Blood was splattered on the walls and was pooled on the ground. She was met with a grisly sight. Her parents were hanging by their necks with blood dripping down their bodies. Kaylee’s eyes took in the mangled sight of her parents and couldn't take it. Kaylee let out a scream before whirling, trying to get away from the gruesomeness. But her plans were put on hold when she ran into a pair of legs clad in black jeans. Her eyes traveled up the body until she reached the face and she started to scream.

My eyes burst open and I shot up in bed, the shriek from my dream echoing into reality. The scream ended as my door surged open, revealing my out-of-breath aunt and uncle. They looked around the room before settling their eyes on me. I gave them a weak smile before falling back onto by bed. My aunt made her way over to me while my uncle went to put away the bat that he had clenched in his hands.
She settled on the bed next to me and started to stroke my sweat soaked hair. There was an awkward silence for a moment before she started to talk, “Was it the same one as last night?” I nodded and turned my head to gaze at the midnight sky through my window as my aunt continued to talk. “Its odd how they keep coming back, you haven’t had that dream since you were a little girl. I wonder what brought this on.”
Without looking from the window I answered her, “I don’t know what it is but I hope it goes away soon. I don’t know how much longer I can deal with this nightly torture.” I closed my eyes and waited for my aunt to leave the room. I felt her eyes lock onto me for moment before she got up and left. I opened my eyes when I heard the door click and threw back the covers. I stood there for a moment, listening to my aunt’s footsteps fade to nothing before I made my way to the door.
I slipped silently out of my room and strode down the hall, making my way towards the stairs. I was about to pass my aunt and uncles door when I heard their voices. I froze and gently leaned against the door; hoping to catch part of their conversation. “Harold…. Do something……she isn’t ready!” I scrunched my brow and tried to make out what my aunt was saying.
“I…. to do…. Started…. Can’t be stopped!” My uncle’s voice was filled with anger. I leaned back from the door and started to walk again. The gears in my head were spinning from the words my aunt and uncle exchanged. I silently slipped down the stairs and quickly ran into the basement.
I switched on the lights and looked around damp smelling room. The walls were lined with fighting dummies that looked pretty beat up and then in the middle of the room were the weights and work out machines. I thought back to the day my uncle had constructed this room. It had been a few years after my parents had been killed and was just getting over the shock when something happened.

I wrapped my bright pink winter coat around me tighter and buried my lips and nose in my scarf. I trudged my way home from school in a blizzard. The cold was attacking my legs that were only covered by tights. Frost was biting at my fingertips from underneath my gloves and my ears were probably beet red.
I heard a crunching ice and snow, but didn't turn around. The crunching stopped, “Kaylee!” I turned at the sound of the voice and saw Mr. Phillips getting out of his car. His thin blond hair was wind blown and disheveled. His coat covered the bulk of him, but I knew that underneath were muscles and flab. Warning bells went off in my head and my eyes widened.
Mr. Phillips jogged over to me and hugged himself. “Hey Kaylee, do you want a ride the rest of the way to your house? It’s awfully cold out here.” He was holding something in his pocket and he was slowly taking step towards me.
I shook my head, “No thanks, Mr. Phillips. I’m almost there, and I don’t want to get your car all wet.” Without waiting for an answer I turned and started walking at a faster pace.
He grabbed the scarf and ripped it from my neck. I yelped and started to run but he caught me from behind and jerked a cloth over my nose and mouth. He picked me up and carried me backwards. I kicked at his legs, but my arms were pinned to my sides. I kicked at his shins and heard his grunt of pain, but I was already tired.
The cloth over my nose and mouth smelled like rubbing alcohol and cough syrup. The more I smelled it, the more tired I got. Just as I stopped thrashing, Mr. Phillips was ripped from behind me. I fell to the snowy wet ground and let myself freeze. I closed my eyes and listened to the sounds around me.
I heard grunts and slush splashing and finally I turned my head. Through my blurred gaze I saw three people wrestling in the snow. The biggest one was pinned to the ground by the other two, but was still struggling. One of the smaller ones stood up and looked down at the other two. “Hold him down, I’ll be right back.” The boy came closer and I cowered away, or at least I tried too.
I slid a few inches away and let out a small squeaking noise, but all that did was let more slush sink into my coat. The boy was still coming closer but didn’t say anything. Through my blurred vision, I saw the boy crouch down and reach for my coat. “Don’t!” I managed to croak out.
The hands stopped tugging at my jacket, and instead started tugging at its own. A pain in my side made my vision focus so I was able to see straight. The boy in front of me had blond hair which was matted with snow and sweat, while his brown eyes were etched with worry.
He slid an arm under my shoulders and held my torso above the snow. “Come on Kaylee, a few more minutes and you can go to sleep.” He yanked down the zipper of my coat and started pulling my arms out of my sleeves. He dropped the coat and wrapped his coat around my body. I snuggled into the warmness and let my eyes drift closed.
Strong arms lifted me and carried me away. Then I was lying on something soft with heat blasting in my face. I cracked open my eyelids and took in my surroundings. I was reclining in the passenger seat of a minivan. I jerked up and reached for the door, realizing Mr. Phillips had gotten me. I pulled on the handle, but it was locked. A hand rested on my shoulder, “Kaylee, you’re safe. Calm down.” The hand tightened on my shoulder and turned me around.
I examined the face of my savior or kidnapper. It was the same boy from outside and he didn't look so dangerous. I flattened my back against the door and gave him a wary look. “Who are you?”
His smiled faltered, “I should have known you wouldn't remember me. I’m James.” He held out is hand; I glared at it before grasping his hand and giving it a little shake.
I looked around the car and then back at him. “What happened?” I clasped my hands together and tried to stop shaking.
“Mr. Phillips tried to kidnap you, as you can probably see. The ambulance is on its way. We’ll just-- Kaylee look out!” The car door was jerked open from behind me.
I fell backwards and landed on the cold wet concrete. I yelped as the middle of my back crashed into curb. A strong hand yanked the top of my head and started dragging backwards. I watched in horror as James lunged for the door only to have it slammed in his face and the automatic locks engaging.
I frantically scratched and clawed at the hand, I dug my heels into the ground, but nothing was going to stop him. I stopped moving and let myself be dragged. The snow was starting to soak through James’s coat and freezing my clothes underneath.
Mr. Phillips stopped dragging me and slammed the back of my head into the ground. Stars floated to my eyes and swirled while my head swam. He sat on my waist and started ripping at the jacket. I clenched my hands into fists and aimed them at his head. One hand struck his temple while the other met thin air. His hand snatched away from the jacket and held the right side of his face. “You little bitch.” He pulled back his fist and punched me in the face, full throttle. My nose spurted blood and ran down my face and onto my cheeks and neck.
I screamed out in pain and covered my face to deflect his blows. His punched slammed into my arms and made my bones rattle. One fist struck the middle of the bone on my arm and I heard and felt it crack and snap. I choked out a scream and let my body go limp. I shifted my body to the