The memory fades as Becki reaches the bottom of the stairs.
My wrist throbs like it remembers.
I follow her into the dark, anyway.
Because I always do.
It doesn’t take long.By the light of my phone’s flashlight, something glints near the far wall.A scrap of fabric.Pink.Glittery.Stiff with dried blood.One of the missing girls, maybe.Everything inside me goes cold.
I cross the room, lift the cloth.
Becki follows with her eyes, face draining of color.
“That belonged to Marlena,” she whispers.“She always wore glitter shirts.Like that one.”
Marlena.
Gone.
I look back at Becki, her fear the truest thing she’s ever shown me.
And just like that her face changes to thoughtful, resentful.“Like that girl who barged into your room like she’s been there before.Gave me the shampoo and my freedom.She doesn’t want me in there.”
Joey.
“We’re leaving,” I say.“Now.”
She steps close, voice trembling.“Are you taking that to Legend?”
“Yes.”
“What about me?”
“You’re coming with me.”
She straightens.“You’re not locking me up again.”
This time I grasp her arm gently, not harsh.“Yes.I am.”
Her fury is instant.“Royal…”
“If someone used this basement?”My voice drops, deadly quiet.“If something happened here?You walking around free puts a target on your back big enough to paint.”
“You think Daddy is involved?”
“I think the wrong person seeing you out of that room gets you killed before your daddy even tries.”
Her lips part, soft realization hitting her.
“You’re protecting me,” she whispers.
I don’t deny it.
I can’t.
“Sneak out again,” I say, my hand on my blade.“I’ll chain you to my bed in the basement.”
Her breath catches.Not in fear.
