"Miguel! Help me!" I shouted.

In seconds, he was at the bottom of the stairway,

"Linden," he screamed. "Put her down. Put her down now." Linden turned and looked at him.

"Go away," he said. "This is our home. You don't belong here. Go away"

Miguel started up the stairs slowly.

You have to put her down, Linden. You can hurt her if you don't. Now, just put her down gently. Everything will be all right if you do it slowly. Linden. Go on," Miguel urged.

Linden shook his head.

"Don't come up here!" he cried. "You don't belong here. No one else belongs here but us. This is our home, not yours. Go away."

He stepped to his left, bringing me right to the balustrade. Miguel stopped and held out his right arm. Linden lifted me higher and to the left, as if he was going to drop me over the balustrade.

"Careful with her," Miguel said sharply.

"Go away," Linden cried in response. "Go away." he repeated, his voice full of threat. He lifted me toward the balustrade again, and I cried out.

Miguel held his ground, obviously terrified. His fear revved up my own. My heart was pounding so hard. I thought I would pass out and not even know if I was dropped from this height.

"Okay," Miguel said after another moment. "I'll go away, Linden. You put her down."

He backed down a step to demonstrate his retreat. Linden didn't budge,

"I'm going," Miguel said. "but you have to be careful with her.. Remember, she's pregnant. Linden."

"I know she's pregnant. I was the first to know, Don't tell me she's pregnant."

"Of course you knew," Miguel said. He smiled. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean you didn't know."

"It's our Hannah coming. Ours!"

"Oh, I know. I just stopped by to congratulate you. I want to be your friend, that's all. I'm here to help."

"We don't need your help and we don't need any friends, not from here. Just leave us alone and tell everyone else out there to leave us alone."

"Okay. If that's the way you'd like it."

"Yes, it is."

-"All right," Miguel said, backing farther down the stairs. "I'll just be going, then."

"Good," Linden said. Go.

Miguel and I looked at each other. I gave him a small nod to indicate I was all right and he should continue to placate Linden.

"Call me if you need anything," Miguel said, and turned, walking down the stairs and to the front entrance.

Linden watched suspiciously. Miguel turned again, waved, and unlocked the door. Then he stepped out and closed the door behind him.

"Good," Linden said. "See? Now they will all leave us alone."

He turned and continued up the stairway. I said nothing. He carried me into the suite and laid me on the bed,

Tags: V.C. Andrews De Beers Horror
Source: readsnovelonline.net