“You’re fully and completely here.” She seems almost apologetic but ignores the whole prisoner thing. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Cardone.”
“This place is massive. There has to be something… anything else…”
“Not for you, I’m afraid. Come, take a look at this bathroom. It’s gorgeous. You’ll love it, and the closet? Well, I went to the liberty of stocking some things for you already based on your measurements. I hope you don’t mind…”
It’s all too much. I feel sick and dizzy. Rosie happily crawls around on the bed, bouncing and flailing. She likes the soft blanket and sheets. Satya keeps talking about how lovely this place is, how comfortable I’ll be, but the truth lurks under everything.
Those high walls? That barbed wire?
It’s for me.
To keep me inside.
“Now, I can tell you’ve been through a lot, so I’ll let you get acclimated. In the meantime, before I go, do you want anything? There’s food in the kitchen, but if the little one has preferences, I can bring more right away.”
She stands in front of me, beaming and personable, and I hate her. I hate her so much, but it isn’t really her, it’s this place.
It’s Mass.
“Baby-proofing,” I blurt out.
She blinks. “Sorry?”
“This apartment. It’s a deathtrap. Tons of slippery floors and hard edges. I need babyproofing.”
“Right. Of course.” She nods to herself. “I’ll speak with Mr. Cardone and get it resolved immediately. Anything else?”
“A playpen. Something portable I can stick her in while I shower.”
“We’d be happy to keep an eye?—”
“Don’t ask again.” I stare at her, barely keeping my rage in check. But I force myself to stay calm. “Playpen, please.” It’s not ideal, but I’m desperate to keep Rosie where I can see her.
“Right away.” Satya turns and strides off, leaving me alone in Mass’s bedroom.
When I was younger, I used to read stories about near-death experiences. There are surprisingly consistent reports of bright lights, smiling ancestors, and a paradise waiting right across the porous borders of life and afterlife.
Now I know that’s all bullshit.
Because I’m definitely dead. Nothing else could explain what’s happening to me. I died during my wedding, and now I’ve been dragged into hell.
The only thing keeping me going is Rosie.
I have to keep it together for her.
I don’t know what Mass has planned for us. He can talk about making us comfortable and giving my daughter a good life all he wants, but it’s only noise.
I’m focused on survival and getting my daughter out of here.
Everything else is a distraction, and I won’t let it keep me from getting my little girl home.
ALLIE
Two Years Ago
“Stupid teasing fuckingcunt.”Thomas shoves me hard enough to nearly knock me over. I’ve never seen him like this before. His eyes are glassy and his face is a bizarre mix of emptiness and rage, like he’s totally hollow and only anger is slowly filling him.
My friend isn’t there anymore.
