bedroom and rolled my eyes. Like the day before, I’d made the bed only for her to undo it and make it again.
Unlike the day before, though, there was a knock on the door.
My heart raced as I bolted up, wondering who was there, what they wanted, and, most of all, if I could finally leave.
Ms. Vera came rushing in as the door opened, but it was just the goon who always ignored me.
As far as I’d seen, there was a rotation of three different ones.
The brown-haired guy in the doorway was smaller than the other two, but still a goon. He never even glanced my way, which was fine by me.
The big, bulky meathead with the dark hair always glared like he wanted to snap me like a twig.
The last seemed nicer—the handsome goon with a dimpled smile. He was tall, tattooed, and bulky with buzzed hair and a blond beard. He didn’t look at me much, but at least he offered a smile when he did. It beat being death glared.
Then, of course, there was him, but I hadn’t seen him since that first night. He had black hair that was buzzed on the sides and left longer on top, scruff, a bunch of tattoos, and evil black eyes.
Monster’s eyes.
“Oh good.” Ms. Vera held out her hands and took the bags I belatedly noticed he held.
The ignore-me goon didn’t speak or look my way before leaving—surprise, surprise.
Ms. Vera retreated to the room with the bags. As curious as I was to know what they held, I stubbornly fought the urge to ask. Sitting back down, I cut and ate a few bites of the delicious avocado toast, but I’d filled up on fruit.
When Ms. Vera came back in, she didn’t comment about my leftovers as she gathered my tray. “There’s some new soaps in the bathroom and a fresh set of clothes on the bed.”
“Thank you.” I stayed on my best behavior and didn’t bite the hand that feeds.
Not yet, at least.
When she left, I went into the bedroom to check out what had been left. Sure enough, the bed had been remade, each line and fold precise. A pair of gray leggings, a white cropped tee, plain underwear, and a bra were set out on it.
When I’d asked for clothes, I’d figured I’d get… I dunno, something that looked like a prison jumpsuit or a thrift store special. I hadn’t expected anything cute or soft.
Going into the bathroom, I saw the built-in shelf had been stocked. I’d gotten soap, shampoo and conditioner, and a toothbrush and toothpaste the morning before, but there was even more of it, plus bubble bath, face wash, and a thick paddle brush.
I was tempted to soak in the tub but stuck with a quick shower. I dried off, brushed my teeth, got dressed, and waited.
I had a plan.
Thankfully, my lunch a few hours later included the usual bottle of water. Despite the nerves and anticipation clenching my stomach, I forced myself to eat all the food but tucked the bottle next to me so Vera didn’t clear it away. I waited another tense hour before slipping on my worn-out shoes.
I was fed and had water.
I was rested.
I was dressed in clothes that allowed movement.
It was time.
The darkness of night may have been easier to hide in, but it also meant I’d have to navigate in said darkness.
Daytime was my best bet.
Heading to the main door, I knocked hard. “I need help! My stomach hurts so bad. I think something is wrong.” When there was no response, I added a sob that was only half-forced. “Please, help.”
The door clicked before opening. I thanked my lucky stars it was the ignore-me goon again and not the nasty one.
“What’s wrong?”
“My stomach,” I groaned.
He took a step in.
And I took my opening—literally. Like one of Dad’s boxers, I ducked and weaved, dodging the man. I squeezed out the door before slamming it closed with him locked inside.
The room was at the end of a hall, leaving only one direction to go. I ran, passing door after door until I turned a corner and saw them.
Stairs.
I nearly tumbled down the slick hardwood as I skipped steps in my rush. Hitting the foyer, I wasn’t being careful, taking it slow, or checking my surroundings, and I didn’t care. My eyes were on the prize—the front door.
Throwing it open, I hauled ass off the porch and toward the road.
Like the backyard, there was a tall fence completely surrounding the