Page 52 of The Puppeteer and the Poisoned Pawn

My body jolts at another wounded shriek. I race back into the bedroom, covering my ears as I hyperventilate. Before I reach the window, a small movement in Sophia’s wardrobe shifts my erratic focus. I turn as my hand reaches for the sill.

A little boy hiding under the length of Sophia’s gowns. Shaking like a leaf. Clutching a toy… rabbitto his chest.

My eyes sting at the sight.

No. It’s Arthur.

Please, no. I can’t watch this. I have to get out of here. But before I can spin on my heels, I hear the soft sniffle and whimper of Kane’s baby brother. My throat shrinks, and I’m frozen with a choice hanging over my chest.

Stay or leave.

Arthur shivers, holding that rabbit close, kissing it on the head as if he’s responsible for keeping that stuffed toy calm. Anguish flows through me like a forest fire, blackening my lungs, charring my heart.

Even though this is only a memory… how can I leave Kane’s little brother alone? How can I abandon him moments before his death?

I drop to my knees in front of him, unable to rip my eyes away from this sweet, scared little boy. “I’m here,” I tell him.

Little Arthur is dressed in dirty overalls and tiny penny loafers. He looks down the hall through oversized glasses, wiping his nose and fidgeting with his cow-licked brown hair.

The screams pierce the cottage like a violent strike of lightning. We both jump, gasping at the sound of a woman in great distress. Arthur covers his mouth, sobbing into his hand.

“Momma,” he whines, muffled by his palm.

“It’ll all be over soon,” I murmur, tears flowing freely down my cheeks. “You’re going to a better place, Arthur. One where you and your momma won’t be afraid anymore.”

We cry together in that little wardrobe, listening to the awful sounds of Kane’s sobs and his mother’s cries.

“Your brother loved you.” I stroke his soft rosy cheek, my voice cracking like frozen glass. “I’m sure he was so happy to see you again in heaven.”

My sobs are cut off by two men tunneling through the bedroom door, lunging into the wardrobe, snatching baby Arthur by the elbows.

“Out you go,” a giant man with dark-brown skin and a shaved head says, lifting Arthur from his hiding place.

“No!” I scream.

Arthur wails. “Momma! Help!” He chokes and hiccups in a fit of uncontrollable cries.

I reach for him, even though I know there’s nothing I can do. I still reach for his hands, yell and curse at the evil men.

“He’s just a baby, you fucking bastards!” My voice is a long, tormented howl. A release of pent-up anger, betrayal, and utter devastation.

But no one hears me. They leave the room with Kane’s little brother.

And I can’t stay to hear what happens next. My body lurches for the window, tripping over items I flung around the room until I’m heaving myself over the sill, wiggling my body through the tight space until I’m falling into the grass.

I run like a madwoman. My legs take charge of the situation, getting me as far from this house as possible.

But the connection is still there, strong, like a rope I can’t cut. It follows me through the forest. Voices fill my head. Sophia, whispering with urgency.

“Protect her, Kane. You must keep her from the trauma until she’s ready. Keep her from the abuse. Be her sanctuary.”

I fall into a bed of weeds, scramble to my feet, and keep running.

“There are bad people in this world. Ruling nations like ours. One day, you’ll be stronger than all of them. One day, Skylenna will be strong enough too.”

I cover my ears, screaming to drown out the voices.

“I’ll take care of her, Momma. Jack will be proud.”

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