“I knew something was wrong when I found this fox in the backyard, and she wasn’t anywhere near it. I felt it in my gut. I searched and yelled, but she was nowhere to be found.” He sucked his lips inward, seeming to hold in his fear. “By the time Mom and Dad got home, I was in tears. I didn’t know what to do. Within an hour, the house was swarmed with all sorts of police officers and hound dogs, and anything in between.
“There was no sign of her anywhere. No signs of anyone taking her. No leads to follow. Not even when the disappearance hit the news stations worldwide. That day, my sister ceased to exist.”
My eyes were glued to him, captivated.
“Each of us has our own story. We each deal with what we’re handed in life differently, and there’s nothing wrong with it. Life sucks sometimes. But,” he paused again, looking down at the fox. “I wished things had a different ending. Not every story has a happily ever after. Some don’t even have an ending.
“So, will you do me a favor, Scarlett?”
I nodded slowly, not sure exactly why I trusted him somewhat.
“Can you keep this fox safe for me until my sister returns?”
His eyes lightened just a bit as he set the fox on the floor and pushed it towards me. When it was close enough, I leaned forward and took ahold of it. The coat was well worn but still soft. It fit in my hand easily, like it belonged there.
Iwilled the half bowl of applesauce to stay down as I sat upright, my back against the headboard and a blanket pulled up to my chin. I wasn’t cold. I was hiding my shaking hands between my bent knees. I took deep breaths in and out, hoping that alone would keep the little bit of food down.
I gritted my teeth as my stomach squeezed again.
Just make it stop.
“Here,” Collin said, holding out a palm. I glanced up, seeing a very small pink pill. “It’ll help with the nausea.”
With tear-filled eyes, I carefully took it and slipped it into my mouth.
The pill dissolved on my tongue, instantly quelling the queasiness. I looked at Collin in gratitude.
“You’re welcome, kid,” he said. “Are you ready for some company?”
No.
“It won’t be that bad,” he continued. “I’ll be right out there in the hallway. The door will be left open. I’ll be happy to string up anyone who hurts you.” I closed my eyes as I set my head down on my knees. Maybe I could pretend to be asleep.
“All right then,” Collin said, before whispering to someone and then leaving the room. I didn’t pick my head up. Although I was tired, sleep wasn’t finding me that easily these days.
“Scarlett?” someone called. A voice I had only heard in passing. “Shit. I have no idea what to say.”
I slowly lifted my head. He was standing at the end of my bed with his hands stuffed into his front pocket of his black slacks. His face was filled with deep sorrow and tiredness, his bright blue eyes staring at me like I would break. His dark blond hair was styled perfectly, and he looked like an older version of the man who had spoken to me early this morning.
“Peyton gave you that fox,” he said, noticing the stuffed animal I had sitting next to me. “I think I took too long to come up here and see you. You have no clue who I am, do you?”
I gave a quick shake of my head before dropping my eyes to the bed.
“This would be so much easier if you remembered us,” he sighed, dropping his chin to his chest. “Or maybe that’d make it harder. I don’t know. Peyton, my son, was pretty torn up about your wellbeing. Truthfully, we all are. You’re strong, Scarlett. My heart hurts, seeing you like this.”
I peeked up at him. He was speaking the truth. But why?
“No one here can tell you enough that you’re safe. No one can ever hurt you again. If someone tries, they’ll die at my hands. I won’t think twice about pulling a trigger.” He swallowed, not able to say the words. “Everything you’ve been through is enough. I will do anything in my power to make your life easier, whatever it is. I promise.”
When I didn’t reply, he blew a breath out through his nose. For some reason, that small action made a small smile pull at my lips.
“No one here has touched you—not to harm you, anyhow. Isn’t that proof enough that we mean what we say? We keep our word in this family, no matter what it is,” he went on. “I hope, in time, that you can see that.”
When I didn’t say anything, he made his leave. Before exiting the room, I felt his eyes on me. I shifted under his scrutinizing gaze.
“I will make him pay for what’s he’s done to you.”
A couple of hours later, I was feeling caged in the room. Collin had said that walking around would help boost my energy and strength. If I had any chance of running away when the moment arrived, I needed to work on actually being able to run, or at least walk, farther than a few feet at a time.
