Footprints In The Sand - Michelle Horst Page 0,10
for a few minutes! I want more of her. I want to get to know everything about her.
I slam my fist repeatedly into my pillow and then scream into it. She’s so young, so beautiful. It’s so unfair.
Dad comes out of his room, frowning in my direction. “What’s wrong?”
I shove back from the couch which also serves as my bed, and my heart rate keeps picking up. “Lacey.” Her name is a broken whisper on my lips. “I met her on the beach yesterday. We had a date today, but she’s gone. I walked her home, Dad! I made sure she was safely home before I left her. I don’t understand why she was taken. How can life be so unfair? I find her only to lose her? I can’t believe that!”
Dad takes a seat next to me and lets out a heavy huff. “Sometimes these things happen and there is nothing we can do about it. I’m sorry, Son.”
“Yeah,” I say, my chest aching. “I just want to be alone.” I leave the RV and head blindly in the direction of the beach. I don’t want to see anyone today. I just want to be alone. I haven’t felt like this since Mom left.
~*~
Chapter Nine
Lacey~
My body aches from staying in the same cramped position for so long. I can only crouch, sit, get on all fours, or curl into a small bundle. I don’t know how long I’ve been here. It stays dark, unless Mr. Brody comes to bring us food and that’s only once a day. I wish I could stand up and stretch. I wish I was home!
I’ve learned that Willow is from one town over. She’s a year younger than me. Her favorite color is purple. She likes any kind of pasta and pizza, and her cat’s name is Tiger.
In the beginning I screamed and cried until my throat ached and my nose was blocked. Then I fell into a silent rage, until Willow started telling me about Tiger and that he has brown stripes.
I almost told her about Seth, but stopped just in time. What’s the use of telling her about Seth? It’s his dad who kidnapped us! I should’ve known better! I wasted my time wanting a boy whose father kidnaps girls. Who knows what will happen to us? For all I know Seth knows that we’re here! He might be in on the whole thing. The thought stabs sharply at my heart.
The sound of the lock clicking open yanks me from my miserable thoughts. I don’t understand why Mr. Brody is keeping us here. He opens the cage and hands me a packet. I know it contains a burger and coke. I’m so sick of it, but it is all there is, so I take it.
“Why, Mr. Brody?” I try again. He ignores me every time I ask, but I won’t stop. I need to know what he’s planning to do with us. The need for information is overwhelming at times and sends me into a horrible panic attack.
He crouches down and flashes the light over me. He stares at me for a long moment as if he’s looking for something. He chuckles. “You were a pretty thing but look at you now.” He flashes the light to where Willow is and then back to me. “You’re not ready yet,” he flashes the light back to Willow, “but she is.”
It’s then that I notice only one bag of food. He didn’t bring anything for Willow! I grab hold of the bars and pull my chest flush against it. “Where are you taking her? You can’t leave me here alone! Let me go with her!”
He ignores me and walks over to Willow’s cage. He opens it, grabs hold of her foot and drags her out as if she weighs nothing. Is he letting her go? She’s so weak it’s easy for him to tie her hands and feet. When he gags her, I know – she’s not going home!
“Let her go!” I scream. My heart races wildly in my chest and each thump hurts. It feels as if my ribs are closing in, threatening to crush the life right out of me. “Willow! He’s not going to let you go! Fight, Willow! Fight!” I yank at the bars and see her face crumble. She’s already given up. “No, Willow! Don’t give up. You have to fight. You have to fight.” I scream until my throat is raw but he picks her up, tosses her