His hand went to his pocket. And I watched with horror as he drew out a knife.
A sleek, black folding knife with a wicked-looking blade. He snapped it open with a practiced flick. The sound impossibly loud, metal on metal, a promise of violence.
Behind me, Daisy whimpered. Her small body pressed so hard against mine I could feel every tremor, every terrified breath.
"Carter, no—" My voice broke. "Please, whatever you're going to do, do it to me. Not her.Not her?—"
He was coming closer. Dropping to one knee.
Not in front of me.
Behind me.
Behind Daisy.
"NO!" I screamed, thrashing against my own bindings, ignoring the searing pain as plastic bit deeper into torn skin. "Carter, don't you TOUCH her!"
"Or what?" His voice was eerily calm again. I heard him move. Heard Daisy's sharp intake of breath.
Then—the sharpsnickof plastic being cut.
Her hands. He was cutting the zip tie on her hands.
He hauled Daisy to her feet with one hand, the knife still in the other. She was crying now, her small hands free but useless as she struggled in his grip.
"Let me go! I want my daddy! Anna!"
"It's okay, Daisy!" I shouted despite my voice cracking. "I'm right here! You're so brave, sweet pea! So brave!"
Lies. All lies. Nothing was okay. But I needed her to hear my voice. I needed her to know I wasn't leaving her, even as he dragged her away.
She was kicking, struggling, her small fists beating uselessly against his legs. "DADDY! ANNA! HELP ME! PLEASE!"
Each cry was a knife in my heart. Twisting.
I watched him carry her toward the metal stairs, her small form thrashing in his grip, her unicorn pajamas bright against his dark clothes. I watched her reach back toward me, one small hand extended, fingers grasping at air.
Trying to reach me.
Trying to hold on.
"I'm here!" I screamed. "Daisy, I'm here! Your daddy is coming! He loves you so much!"
They reached the stairs. He started climbing. She was still crying, still screaming, the sound echoing off concrete.
"LET ME GO! ANNA! ANNA!"
"I'm not leaving you! Never! I promise!"
But I was. I was staying here, bound and helpless, while he took her into darkness.
They reached the top. The shadow swallowed them. One last glimpse of her face—pale, terrified, looking back at me over his shoulder.
Then the heavy door slammed shut.
The sound echoed through the space like a gunshot.
Silence.
