Page 6 of Shadow's Sinner

I am worthless.

By the time I make it home, I can feel the bruise forming on my cheek. I know there’s no way around facing my parents, especially since I’m about to be stuck in a car with them.

Climbing the broken concrete staircase to the front door, I pull the single key out before sliding it into the lock. I push the door open, half expecting Lilianna to be standing there, ready to pounce, but the living room is empty. As quietly as I can, I shut the door and lock it. I don’t hear music playing in the kitchen like I usually do, and peeking down the small hallway, I see Dad’s office door open.

“Hello?” I called out, but no one answered, which is odd. One, if not both, of them, are always home. Mom and Dad believe we should never be left alone, so where would they have gone?

Biting my cheek, I tiptoe towards my room. The doors must remain open unless we’re sleeping, so I walk right into my room and glance around. Everything seems in place. Not that it wouldn’t be the first time the three of them have gone through my room. I never knew what they were searching for, and I never asked. It’s better not to ask.

I drop my bookbag by my desk before I start pulling out a few dresses. I’m unsure how Dad expects me to camp since I’venever gone. And they don’t believe women should wear pants, so I don’t own any.

I shake my head and take a deep breath as I pull my undergarments out and rearrange my bag. I go across the hall and grab my toothbrush, hairbrush, and some toothpaste. By the time I’ve finished packing, the sound of the front door opening reaches my ears as I zip my bag up.

“Lakelyn!” Dad bellows.

I press my lips together, grab the bag, and walk out to the hallway. I reach the end of the hall to find Dad standing in the front doorway, already watching me.

“The girls are waiting, come on.” He motions for me to move.

I step forward, keeping my head down. Don’t look. Don’t notice, do–

“What’s this?” he hisses, grabbing my chin. Dad forces me to look at him and I know he’s not asking in a caring manner. He’s not asking because he’s my father and he wants to protect me.

“I tripped,” I lie.I’m a sinner.

“Lakelyn,” Dad says, raising one of his graying eyebrows.

“I did. I… I was so excited for this trip that I wasn’t paying attention to the steps. Right out and…and I just tripped. I tried to reach out, but my arms were caught with my bookbag. I–I’m sorry, I know it’s b–”

“You’re not lying to me are you?” he asks, dropping his hand from my face.

“No, sir,” I lie again.

“Fine.” I’m not sure if he believes me or not, but he drops the subject. “The girls and your mother are waiting. Let’s go,” he says, holding a hand out for me to walk before him.

I drop my head in shame. I’m a liar. I’ve sinned and now I’m going to be punished. But I deserve it. I’m worthless like Travis said. I’ve lied to my father about what happened.

I’m a sinner.

Chapter Four

My back hits the wall as I watch dark figures move into our home. I hold my breath, praying Dad or Mom don’t see me hiding in the shadows. I know I’m supposed to be asleep in my room, but I got thirsty and before I made it to the kitchen, I heard noises. I couldn’t help myself, I had to see who was arriving so late at our house.

“Welcome, welcome,” Dad boasts. I’ve never heard him so happy, not even when Mom makes his favorite meal.

I heard some of them muttering under their breath, but I couldn’t make out what they were saying. I’ve never seen these people here before; my parents don’t have many friends. None that they speak of anyway. It’s always just them, Lilianna, and me. “The children are asleep, and Debbie is making a fresh potof coffee and some tea for the others,” Dad says, holding a hand out for them to follow to his office in the back of the house.

We’re not allowed to go into Dad’s office, not unless he summons us, and that only happens when we’re in trouble. I tried to sneak in Dad’s office once and Mom barely stopped Dad from beating me to death with a belt. I’m not sure why she stopped him when she’s always mad at me.

My gaze trails after the last dark figure who disappears into his office before the door closes. I take a deep breath dropping the back of my head against the wall, remembering that I’m still thirsty when my body nearly goes into a coughing fit.

My eyes fly open as I hear footsteps coming closer, I lift my head up and swing my head around.

“Ah!” I squeak as I come face to face–well face to stomach with one of the dark figures. I lift my head up, waiting for him to say something to me but the man just stands there, most of his face hidden within the depths of his hood. I can barely make out his hazel eyes in the darkness.

I press my lips together, terrified but also interested in who this man is and why he’s here in our hallway.

“Atticus, have you found the bathroom?” Dad yells from his office. I’m frozen as I stand there, unable to move and speak. He’s going to tell my father I’m out here snooping, I can feel it.

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