Page 18 of Traces of Kara

“I lied.”

Roland curled his hands into fists and stomped toward her, stopping inches from her shaking body. “Why are you saying that?”

“It’s true.”

“It’s not true! They brainwashed you! You love me.”

Marissa’s body swayed from side to side, then her legs buckled. She fell to her knees, pulling her bound wrists to her stomach, moaning in pain. “I want my mother. Let me go. Take me out of here!” she yelled.

“Mom gave you to me. She can’t take care of you. She has slippery fingers.”

“My mother! I want my fucking mother, not your mother!” she sobbed.

Roland covered his face with his hands. The muscles in his neck twitched. “Shut up! Shut up!”

“Get me outta here!” she yelled. Her hair was wild and matted, and her eyes were shooting daggers in Roland’s direction.

“Shut up!” Roland opened and clenched his fists repeatedly. His shoulders rounded forward. He focused on the ticking clock. Only twenty-two more hours and she’d be silent, she’d be happy.

Marissa keeled over, falling onto her side, and crying out in pain.

Roland stood above her like a giant. She looked like a small child. Tension drained from his face, replaced with empathy. He crouched next to her and put his hand on her arm.

She pushed him off. “Don’t touch me!”

“Marissa.”

“I’m not fucking Marissa! I’m Kara! Kara Knight!” she cried.

“That’s who they told you you were,” he said angrily. “You’re Marissa Greer, born October 28, 1983. You’re my twin.” He stood and paced, each step quick and heated.

“You’re crazy.”

“Don’t you remember, Marissa? Did they steal your memories, too? At Lowrey’s, you used to cry at night. You were always so scared.” He looked away, the memory pulling at him. “You’d call my name. ‘Ro,’ you’d say in your tiny little voice. I’d go to your room and hold you until they’d come and tell me I was sick, disgusting.” His face softened. He reached for his scars.

“You are!” Marissa trembled. Her eyes danced wildly around the room.

“Don’t say that!” He brought fists to his forehead. Blood rushed to his face. “You love me!” he spat.

“I hate you!” she said in a deep, furious voice.

Roland turned away, punching his fists against his thighs and mumbling under his breath, “Love me. You love me.”

“They’re gonna find me and they’re gonna kill you,” Marissa hissed.

Chapter Sixteen

Mimi chewed the insides of her cheeks, her leg bouncing in a rapid beat. Why would Kara lie to her about being with Daryl? She sat in the library storeroom gathering her thoughts. She didn’t have to be there, but she knew she needed to keep her mind busy. She sorted through a stack of books, placing each one on the table. “She’s with him. I just know it.” Plunk. She set another book down. “Why is she lying? I want her and Daryl together.” Plunk! Damn it, Kara. If you are with Daryl, why put me through this? Mimi had to confront her daughter. It was one thing to project about your husband, but quite another to needlessly torture your own mother.

She turned when the old wooden door creaked opened.

“I thought I’d find you here. I just heard. Are you okay?” Charlene asked.

“Just heard? How? Who?”

“Kelly’s mom just came in and I overheard her telling Patricia they’d spent the night together.” Charlene rolled her eyes. “Bragging was more like it.”

“Oh, great.” Soon the whole town will know about Kara and Daryl. “How can everyone know except me? That’s just great. Don’t I just look like a fool?” She felt a flush spread across her cheeks and turned away from Charlene.