Her eyes gleam. “That’s my girl,” she says softly. “That’s my future leader.”
She gestures with Dad’s gun, the barrel dipping toward the stairs. “Walk,” she orders, still sweet. Still calm. “We’re leaving.”
I nod quickly, wiping my face, stepping around my father's body without looking at him because if I do, I’ll break. I’ll scream. I’ll lunge for her.
I can’t break yet. Not yet.
“Where are we going?” I ask quietly, letting my voice shake.
Maria leans in close to my ear as we reach the top of the stairs. “Somewhere safe,” she whispers. “Somewhere Drago can’t reach you.”
My blood freezes.
We move down the stairs, her footsteps light behind me, her presence heavy as a hand on the back of my neck.
I make myself stumble once, just enough to look fragile.
She catches my arm, steadying me. “Careful,” she murmurs. “You don’t want to hurt yourself.”
I almost laugh. I almost vomit. Instead, I nod, guiding her through the house towards the back door.
Freedom, if I can get far enough.
Or death.
I push it open, and the cold air hits my face like a slap. My lungs seize.
She steps out behind me, gun still in hand, scanning the yard as if she owns it.
“We’re going out this way,” I whisper, casting a glance back over my shoulder. “The back gate… it leads to the woods.”
Maria’s eyes flick toward the gate at the far end of the garden, half-hidden by shadows and hedges.
Interest sparks in her gaze. “Smart,” she murmurs. “Always smart.”
I walk ahead, slow and obedient, shoulders hunched, my hands clasped in front of me, the damp grass on my feet.
But one hand stays pressed against my stomach, holding the weight of the gun beneath my sweater, keeping it steady, keeping it hidden.
The gate grows closer, and blood pounds in my ears.
Maria stays two steps behind, close enough that I can feel her heat. Close enough that if I falter, she’ll grab me.
“If you do what I say,” she murmurs, voice curling around me, “we’ll fix everything. You’ll be safe. You’ll be powerful.”
I nod, pretending the words are sinking in. Pretending I’m hers. That I’m stupid enough to believe her cult bullshit.
“Yes,” I whisper. “Okay, Mom.”
She doesn’t deserve to be called that anymore, but I do it to keep up with the lie.
The gate is right in front of me now. I reach for the latch with shaking fingers, playing my part down to the smallest detail. I pull it open. I need her away from Drago. Away from this house.
It creaks softly, the sound barely louder than a breath.
Maria steps closer, and I feel her smile against the back of my neck as she leans in. “That’s it,” she whispers. “Soon we will be at our new sanctuary, Lily.”
I step through the gate first, and I keep walking, leading her into the tree line. Hoping for some kind of miracle and that my adrenaline doesn’t wear off too soon.
