Page 38 of Dolly

They weren’t as good or skilled as he was. Daddy’s a doctor. Sometimes I think he confuses himself with God.

Sometimes I do too. They’ve both betrayed me.

“Almost there.” Ken turns off the truck headlights and accelerates up the incline.

It’s late. Porch lights have gone off for the night, and the houses are dark as we roll past them.

A lifetime ago, these homes were safe places. Play dates and study groups with my friends after school. Just like any other kid.

Then Daddy said I was too old for playdates. He said I’d be better off studying on my own.

“What if he doesn’t know anything?” I ask.

Ken raises his chin. “He knows.”

“I’m so sorry.” I know he doesn’t blame me, but I do. My father was no saint, and I should have heeded my own internal warnings. I shouldn’t have fallen for his sweet temper and saccharine smile. I should have questioned why Mom wasn’t with us. Why would she meet us at the restaurant?

It didn’t occur to me my father would sell me—would hand me over to monsters worse than him. And it should have.

Ken reaches over the center console and squeezes my hand. “I don’t want to hear you say that again. The only people to blame here are your mother and father.” He’s being bossy again, and it settles my nerves.

When I see him, will my insides quake like they did every time he came into my room with his camera in hand? Or will I be able to do what I need to?

Ken will be with me, I tell myself.He’ll keep me strong.

“There.” I point to the driveway. It’s hard to see at night without any lights, but Ken finds it easily and rolls the truck to a stop.

A light shines in the upstairs bedroom. My room.

I press my hand flat against my stomach as a sharp twist of nausea hits me. Why is my light on?

“Does your father have any weapons inside?” Ken pulls my attention. “Guns or anything like that?”

I swallow back the bile clawing its way up my throat.

“Uh…yeah.” I blink a few times, clearing my mind of the lingering fear. “In his office. He has a gun case. I wasn’t allowed in there, but I think he has a rifle, maybe a handgun. I’m not sure.” I’m failing Ken again.

He cups my chin, pulling my eyes to meet his. Harsh and dark, I lose myself in him for a moment. “We’ll find them. It’s late, your parents are probably asleep,”

“My bedroom light is on,” I whisper. Daddy can’t hear me, but I learned not to take chances.

Ken runs his thumb over my jaw. “If you want to stay here—”

“No. I can do this. I want to. He…he can’t own this part of me anymore.” I suck in a breath, hoping it will settle the nerves wreaking havoc on my body. It could all go wrong. I could end up right where I was.

Ken studies me for a long moment. Maybe he’s losing his confidence in me, seeing me for the weakling I am.

“He doesn’t own you anymore,” he says firmly, then kisses me hard, taking me off guard before I melt into him. “Follow me, do not leave my side. Understood, Dolly?”

I nod, my forehead bumping his. “I understand, Ken.”

He gives me a final peck on the cheek and pops his door open. I shuffle out my side and press the door closed, trying not to make any sound.

Following behind Ken, we get to the front door.

“There’s an alarm key,” I whisper. “It could have changed. Daddy changes it sometimes.”

Ken’s jaw tightens. “We’ll have to risk it. If the alarm goes off, we’ll just have to move faster.” He pulls out the little picks he bought from the hardware store and works the lock until the knob turns and the door springs open. We hurry inside, and I navigate to the keypad, punching in the last code I remember.

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