A New Fear Read Free

mattress and pulled out the rope.
    She rubbed it between her fingers. Still not thick enough. And she had been working on it for months.
    Nora unbraided her hair and shook it free. It fell almost to her knees.
    She separated several strands and jerked them out, ignoring the irritating pain in her scalp.
    She wove the hair into her makeshift rope. A rope made of hair, threads from her blanket, threads from her clothes, and anything else she could find.
    Nora tried to be gentle as she plucked more hair, but her hands shook. She felt afraid. Afraid they would come too soon. Afraid they would come and take Nicholas away before she was ready.
    When she finished the rope, Nora planned to push the chair leg against the cracked corner of the window until the glass gave way. Then she would bundle Nicholas in a blanket, tie the rope around his protected body, and slowly lower him to the ground.
    Next she would douse the fire in the hearth and climb up the chimney until she reached the roof. Somehow from there she would find a way to the ground and Nicholas.
    Nora rehearsed the escape plan over and over in her mind as she added to the soft rope. The plan had to work. It had to.
    The wind howled outside. Nora stopped her workto listen more carefully. She heard another sound mingle with the sound of the wind.
    Someone calling for help! Nora sprang to the window and peered out. She saw one of the doctors run down the front steps. A red-haired boy dashed over to him.
    “There has been an accident!” the boy yelled. “A bad one. On that road they are making by the Fear mansion. Three men crushed!”
    If only they had listened to her. Nora knew the dark forces of the Fear family would claim more lives. She knew the road would only bring disaster to the town.
    Nicholas whimpered softly. Nora lifted him into her arms and rocked him gently. The evil Fear legacy would never touch her son, she promised herself. Never.
    The baby drifted back to sleep, and Nora returned him to his cradle. Then she reached up and grabbed another clump of her hair. She yanked it out, gritting her teeth against the pain.
    She had to get Nicholas away from this horrible place. Away from the asylum. Away from the town. Away from everything tainted by the Fears.
    Nora wove the hairs into the rope. She grabbed another bunch of hair and tore it out.
    She felt the warm, wet blood trickle down her cheek. She did not care. All she cared about was Nicholas.
    Nora added the hairs to the rope with trembling fingers.
    She gazed into the cradle. “Do not worry, Nicholas,”she crooned. “I will take care of you. I will not let them take you from me. Not ever.”
    The door flew open with a bang.
    Nora gasped.
    “What are you doing, Nora?” a low voice demanded.

Chapter 3

    N ora jerked her head toward the door. Her doctor stood there watching her. She had not heard him enter.
    The doctor strode to Nora. “What is this?” he asked, pulling the long, silky braid from her hands.
    Nora fought to remain calm. “Since you took away my pen and writing paper, I have nothing to do. The braid is simply a way to occupy my time.”
    The doctor wound the rope of hair around his hand. “Very clever, Nora. Did you think to escape with this flimsy rope?”
    “No!” she insisted. “But I do not belong in this awful place.”
    “That is for me to decide,” he said. He pulled out his handkerchief and wiped a streak of blood from Nora’s forehead.
    The doctor strode to the door and opened it. “SendMartha to me,” he called down the hall. “And tell her to bring the scissors.”
    “No,” Nora whimpered, tears filling her eyes. “Please, no.”
    Nicholas began to cry. Nora scooped him up and held him tightly.
    Moments later Martha stalked into the room.
    “Nora has been pulling out her hair to make a rope,” the doctor informed Martha. “Cut it off.”
    “Of course, Doctor.” Martha gave him a wide smile.
    “Come, Nora,” Martha crooned as she held up a large pair of