from the jolt. A second later, he shoves me against a workbench with shelves of cubby holes. My bag drops to the ground as I try to break his hold. In the struggle, my head knocks into a shelf, spreading a jarring pain in my skull and making my vision swim. Everything goes black around the edges, a strange pulse in my head leaving me woozy.
He watches me with calculating, narrowed eyes, then steps back. Without his disgusting hands holding me up, the dizziness gets worse and I slump against the table, then collapse to the floor. I try to form words with my heavy tongue, but everything goes black.
Open your eyes! Get up!
Cracking my eyes open takes effort. I think I try it multiple times as I sit on the dusty floor because distorted flashes of Mr. Coleman slip through the throbbing in my head. Watching me. Getting a tool and extension cords. His back to me as he climbs the stairs.
Now! Escape now!
When I come to, I’m alone. I don’t know how much time it’s been. Seconds? Minutes? Hours? I scrub a hand over my face and climb to my feet. My head still hurts, but the dizziness that made me black out has passed.
It can’t be long if my head is still tender. I wince, carefully prodding at my skull.
The room grows dimmer as the last of the daylight outside fades into dusk. No lights are on, swallowing me in shadows and darkness.
My chest heaves as my breathing speeds back up. I race up the steps, but the door is locked. The music is turned down lower. I smack my palm against the door.
“Help! Hey! Help me! Let me out!” As I scream, I jiggle the doorknob. No matter how hard I yank on the handle, it doesn’t budge. My palm stings from banging so hard.
Mr. Coleman’s muted voice travels through the door, sounding far away. I pause to press my ear to the door. “…no problem. Tell your parents they can borrow from me anytime. Goodnight.”
The extension cords. That was why she came in? I thought—
Shit! I wanted to help the other girl, but now Mr. Coleman has me. How the hell am I getting out of this?!
My nerve endings feel flayed from the dread choking me.
Was it a mistake to want to help? I didn’t have any other choice. A swollen lump lodges in my throat as I press my forehead to the door, breathing through the rush of emotions.
Princess.
Repulsion rushes over my body. How could I have thought that pet name made me feel special at fifteen? Now it only sends wave after wave of nausea through me. I’m trapped by my abuser. What will he do to me?
At least the other girl got away. That’s the only silver lining I can cling to right now. Mr. Coleman took me instead.
I’m sorry, Connor. I’m sorry I messed up so badly.
If I hadn’t shut down in denial, I wouldn’t be here right now.
I wish Connor were here. He has stepped in so many times, not trusting Mr. Coleman around me. But wishing for him won’t save me.
I have to save myself.
I’ll get out of this. I have to.
Be brave.
Thirty-Six
Connor
After cooling off by beating shit up with my bat at the abandoned quarry for a couple hours to give Thea space and get my thoughts off my major failure, I’m worn out but feeling less like I’m about to split apart.
The late afternoon sun dips low, creeping behind the ridgeline as dusk falls, casting long shadows across the weed-choked gravel lot. Thea asked me not to do anything stupid, so I came out here to work out my frustration rather than put more holes in the pool house wall.
With my head refocused, I’m ready to try talking to her again. I told her I’d let her come to me, but we don’t have the time. Two hours to calm down is long enough.
It was a mistake to ambush her with all the information at once, especially after she told me what Mom did to her. I should’ve come at it from a different angle, starting with Coleman. Keeping everything from her was killing me, so it poured out all at once.
Worse, I hated the panicked look on her face and the tears in her eyes as she left. I hate making her cry.
I sit in my Lexus GX with the door open and call her to find out what part of the holiday market she’s at.