Be quiet. Quiet.
Quiet!
I breathe in the scent of the mask, absorbing the strength it offers. It’s all I can do not to pass out.
“We’re here, aren’t we?” Knox’s tone is flat, dismissive.
“But her eyes are glued to the goddamn floor!” Papa barks.
Knox hauls me closer to him, then he lets go of my hand, squeezing my chin. Jerking my face toward the Colberts.
He’s playing the part, being brutal while silently telling me he’s here.
That he’ll keep me safe.
His version of comfort soothes me for all of a second.
My heart lurches at this horrifying scene unfolding before me. Something no part of me was ready to see.
Bronwyn, she’s naked. Bound to a sturdy chair. Ropes lace around her shins, waist, even her throat to keep her upright.
Her light brown hair is matted and oily. Strings of it stick to her sweaty cheeks. Her forehead.
When I take a closer look, my stomach dips. The Colberts have given her a weird, humiliating haircut. Her once-long tresses are uneven, and she has these clunky bangs now.
When I zoom in on her eyes, I see they’re wide and panicked. Her eyelids are painted with a glittery pink eyeshadow.
And her eyelashes.
They’re gone.
Plucked out.
She weeps silently while Knox’s little sister, Reese, is overjoyed from sitting in her lap.
In a frilly, pink dress, her blonde pigtails bounce as she wields an old makeup brush.
Her legs swing while she smacks neon-pink blush over Bronwyn’s fresh tears.
While she hums along with that endless country tune.
To top it all off, she has scissors in her free hand.
What for? What is she going to do next?
This isn’t justice, not the version of it that I had planned for Bronwyn.
This is evil incarnate, this show they’re putting on.
Though I hate Bronwyn, I revolt against this monstrosity. I have to say something to help her through it. Anything, like,any minute now, it’s going to end. You won’t feel a thing.
Except that’d be a lie.
The Colberts aren’t merciful.
The room is closing in on me, cruelty pressing from every wall. I think I’m going to throw up.
Get out. Get out. Get the fuck out!
