Page 103 of Ashes

Seth reached for my hand and held it as he stared down at me. “Your daddy is going to leave. Then you’ll have a mean stepdad. But don’t worry because you’re a princess, Rinny. I’ll save you. I promise.”

I nodded. I always believed Seth. He was my best friend.

“How do we play pirate and princess?”

He leaned in. “You have to run and hide, OK? I’ll find you. When I do, I’ll rescue you. Ready?”

I steeled myself, ready to make a run from my evil stepfather so the very best pirate in the world could come rescue me.

“Count of three, Rinny. One. . . Two. . . Three!”

I bolted from him and ran as fast as my feet could carry me down the hallway. I had to get away from my evil stepfather. When I reached the downstairs, I skidded to a stop in front of the basement door. I didn’t like the basement. It was scary, but I knew if we were playing this game, I had to play it right. I didn’t want to disappoint Seth.

With as much bravery as I had, I opened the basement door, the creaking of it on its hinges sending a shiver down my spine. Holding my breath, I took the first step down the stairs into the darkness.

Another. And another, until I reached the bottom. I fumbled with the light switch on the wall. The dim, yellow glow lit a portion of the basement. Quickly, I rushed to a corner where Daddy was building a strange big box. I slid behind the boards as carefully as I could, but I wasn’t careful enough. Another pile of boards crashed down, trapping me inside the small space.

Panic rose in my chest as I banged my small fists against the heavy wood. I couldn’t move it. I was stuck.

One had fallen on my hand, making it hurt.

“Seth?” I called out. “S-Seth!”

Nothing.

Silence.

Scared, I curled up into a small ball on the cold floor, hoping he’d find me soon. He promised he’d save me.

Time crept by in the dark. My legs began to tingle from being stuck in the small space for so long. Finally, I heard footsteps on the stairs as I cried softly.

“Seth?”

The footsteps moved faster until they hit the concrete floor.

“Rinny?”

“Seth!” I called out frantically, my voice cracking from my crying. “Seth! Help!”

“Rinny?”

The boards clattered and shifted until the dim glow filled the space and Seth’s hand reached for me.

I took it and let him help me out.

“Are you OK? Your hand is bleeding,” he said, staring down at the small cut on my hand from the board.

“It hurts.” I sniffled and wiped at the fallen tears on my cheek.

“Do you know what makes things that hurt feel better?”

“Mommy?”

He laughed softly. “No, Rinny. Kisses.” He pressed his lips to my cut for a moment.

I watched as he pulled away and gave me a sweet smile, some of my blood on his lips. He quickly licked it away.

“See? You stopped crying. My mommy taught me that kisses make everything better.”

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