I’m not doing anything like that. I’m just on a highly questionable website.No Questions Asked Employment.
I post the job with shaking fingers:“Wife” Wanted.
About me: I’m a full-time single dad to an adorable three-month-old daughter. I can’t work full-time and be a full-time caregiver. I have little money and even less family, which is why I’m probably one of the only decent human beings on this site (no offense). If you are also a decent person in a hard spot, maybe we can help each other.
Job Requirements and Compensation: Offering full room and board, health benefits, and a private room in exchange for childcare for my daughter with special needs that only impact how she looks, not her development. She is healthy and happy, just needs love and normal baby care. You will be under my supervision at all times. I work from home and will absolutely cut you if you hurt my baby.
I pause.
This sounds unhinged.
Don’t care.
I continue.
In a few years, we can get a nice, amicable divorce. You will not get custody. You will not even think about asking for it, but hopefully, my daughter will consider you a special person, so you’ll always be welcome to stay in touch. No other duties required except taking care of my child. No hanky-panky. You have to have a clean record. I will check it.
Travel expenses paid.
English preferred.
No drugs, no substances, no smoking, no diseases, no nutcases.
I post before I can reconsider if this is a good idea, a bad idea, or a downright terrible and possibly criminal idea... The postingwill probably get seventy hits from potential kidnappers, green card hunters, and all the hate in the world.
“Baby girl, I didn’t know what else to do. I need help, and I don’t think I can afford to pay someone for full-time help—and I don’t think I can afford to cut down my hours. There are probably lots of free programs that would help me,” I stroke her hair, and my fingers touch her horns. I bite my lip and swallow. “But I’m afraid of sending you out into the world just yet. It’s not a friendly place. But don’t worry... Someone has been looking out for both of us all this time. We’re survivors, you and I. It’s gonna stay a friendly world for you, Laurel, as long as I’m around.”
Laurel hums in her sleep, actually hums. Makes a tiny bubble of brightness in a dark and scary world.
Chapter Six: October Twenty-Seventh
October 27th, 2025
Eagle Arch (unincorporated), Alaska
Barton has to leave today, heading out for two weeks of fishing.
I hope he falls overboard. Does that make me a bad person?
I don’t think so...
There’s something different about the way he moves around the house this morning—it is morning, even though it’s dark as night. Barton doesn’t scream at me to stay in my room, doesn’t keep making snide remarks and looking disgusted whenever he catches sight of me. Sarah is silent and gives him everything he could want before he asks for it. Barton doesn’t shout. Just watches us.
He knows we’re getting braver. At least I am. I don’t seem eager to please him anymore. I’m not trying to win better treatment, and I realize that the way they treat me is wrong.
I want to ask Sarah so many things before she leaves.
Oh, yes. I know she’ll run this time. Maybe she’s realized what he does to her is wrong, too.
Barton pulls on his coat and walks near me, so close that I have to steel myself not to back away. Sarah doesn’t look, retreating to the kitchen. “I know you were in my den. You think you’re clever, but you’re not. You’re dumb—dumb as her.”
I don’t waste time denying it. This might be my last chance to ask him something. This week, I’m going to take a job, anyjob, to get away. Lesha’s been helping me find sites where I can apply, helping me find agencies that could help me find birth certificates or my mom. I delete my conversation history each time, and Barton’s threats have been loud and empty lately.
“Why was she dumb?” I whisper.
“Ha. Look at you. Her little fling left her a shitty present, one she couldn’t get rid of, even though she tried.”
Is that true? My mother didn’t want me?I don’t let Barton see the hurt his words cause.
