“Well?” Jonathan asks. “What do you want me to do?”
“Get rid of him,” she says without hesitation.
And I know—I have to run.
I don’t know what “get rid of me” means. But I know it’s bad and I'm afraid.
I move as fast as my aching body lets me. I head for the kitchen and turn the knob on the back door.
I can’t believe when it opens.
The sunlight stings my eyes, but I don’t stop.
Sooner or later, they’ll come for me.
I have to get out.
I walk fast, my body screaming in pain. I duck behind trees when I can, hoping they won’t see me from inside.
Finally, I make it to the street. But my head is spinning. I’m weak. I can’t take another step.
Tears run down my face.
They’re going to take me back. Just the thought terrifies me.
I’d rather be hit by a car than spend one more day in that house.
With the last of my strength, I walk into the street.
A white car comes into view, fast.
I know it’s going to hit me. I collapse onto the tarmac.
Then I hear the brakes screech—and a woman bends over me.
“Are you an angel?” I ask. I don’t even know what I’m saying anymore. I don’t care. I just want to sleep.
She looks at me and speaks in the softest voice. “I can be your angel today, sweetheart. Tell me your name. I’ll take care of you.”
“My name is Amos. Please . . . help me. Don’t let them take me back to that house.”
The shrill sound of my phone alarm rips me out of the nightmare. But the effects still cling to me—just like they always do.
Drenched in sweat, I head straight for the shower and blast myself with cold water.
I have to find them.
I’ll never sleep in peace until I make them pay.
Chapter 6
I rest my forehead against the shower wall, but even the cold water can’t wash away the rage.
The memories are poison, embedded in every cell of my body.
I shut off the water, knowing there’s no chance in hell I’ll fall back asleep. So after throwing on clothes and making myself a strong mug of coffee, I head to the library in our apartment to get some work done.
Today’s the day Lilly arrives in Boston, and I’ve decided to work from home. At some point, I’ll have to go pick her up from the airport.
