that man.”
I groaned. “I’ll think about it.” Who was I kidding? I hadn’t been able to think of anything else.
I shut the door to the storage shed, taking a moment to lock it behind me. Not for fear of human thieves but critter ones. Raccoons and other creatures were crafty with their paws when the chicken feed inside called to them.
I turned to head to the greenhouse and caught sight of Sam heading towards me. “Coming to visit the chickens?”
“They do make good friends,” he said with a chuckle. “But I was actually coming to see if you wanted to meet up at The Catch this Friday.”
I struggled to find a kind way to say no. And figured honesty was the best I was going to get. “No, thank you.” Because as much as I was beginning to let people into my world, I had zero interest in going on a date with anyone. That was a kind of vulnerability I wouldn’t be ready for anytime soon.
“No, thank you?” He said the words as if he were confused.
“I appreciate the offer, though.”
A hard glint flashed in his eyes, and he moved closer. “You fuckin’ your boss?”
I stiffened. “Who I do or do not have sex with isn’t your concern. I don’t know you. You don’t know me. Now, please back up. I have work to do.”
Instead of stepping away, Sam moved in even closer, crowding me against the door of the shed. “Maybe you should get to know me before you say no to a date, then. It’s rude.”
My breaths came quicker, each one tripping over the next. I didn’t do well with feeling boxed in. Feeling like I had no way out. “Step back,” I gritted out.
“Or what?” he said with a sneer, leaning in even closer so his face was right next to mine.
I moved without thinking, a decade of self-defense classes springing to life in my muscle memory. I brought my knee up hard and fast. But Sam must’ve had some sixth sense because he moved at the last second, meaning I got more thigh than balls. He slammed me against the shed door. “What the hell, you crazy bitch?”
The combination of being trapped, the stars dancing in front of my eyes, the panic, it all sent me spiraling back. I fought to stay in the here and now, but I couldn’t quite hold on.
Hot tears tracked down my cheeks. “Michael, let me out. Please!”
His laughter sifted through the cracks of the trunk where it rested in the old attic. “I thought you wanted to play.”
“It’s not fun anymore. Let me out or I’ll scream.”
Michael had been in trouble so many times over these past few months, I knew our parents would ground him for sure if they found out that he’d locked me in here.
“Scream away. You know they won’t hear.”
My breaths came faster as my heart rattled against my ribs. I knew they wouldn’t. Because Dad had spent an entire week last spring soundproofing the attic space so Michael and I had a place to practice our music without driving the rest of the house insane.
“Please,” I whispered. “I don’t want to be in here anymore.”
“I know you don’t.” He gave the side of the trunk a swift kick. “Why? What does it feel like, sissy?”
“Like I can’t breathe.” Maybe if Michael got his answers, he’d let me out.
“Like you’re going to die?”
“Maybe.” My voice trembled as I tried to focus on slowing my inhales and exhales. I played my upcoming recital piece over and over in my mind. Maybe if I just focused on that, I’d be okay.
“You won’t. You’ll hurt, though. When you die, I want to watch.”
His voice was so angelic when he said the words. One of the reasons he got away with so much, so often. It had taken our parents too long to see through that mask. To begin to worry what their son might be capable of. But they’d slowly caught on. Then, some of the kids at school. The teachers. I’d overheard his third-grade teacher admitting to the librarian that she was scared of Michael. She should be.
My tears came quicker, but I didn’t let the sobs out. It would only make Michael happier. Make him keep me in here longer. I did my best to keep my voice steady. “If you let me out, I’ll give you my allowance next week.”
Michael was quiet. Likely thinking. I should’ve started with this offer instead of a threat. I