Page 109 of Daddy Sees Snakes

When we're at the house, she bolts for the door, and before I can stop her, she's disappeared into her room.

I press my back against the wood, sighing.

I can't exactly ground her, she's too old for that.

And, honestly, I'm not sure how far to take this.

On second thought, I quietly turn the key in the lock, making sure my daughter can't leave.

I walk to my room, strip down, and collapse on the bed, and the moment my eyes close, the dream starts.

I'm in a dark, cold basement. When I look around, the air is stale with booze and pot.

As my eyes adjust, I notice a figure tied to a chair.

I blink twice, trying to make sense of what I'm seeing, but the closer I get, the more confused I am.

The person tied to the chair is wearing a long white dress.

A veil.

It's Iris, and her body is covered in blood.

Her mouth is duct-taped, and when her eyes meet mine, they're full of pain.

"Iris," I scream, and the sound of my own voice jolts me awake. "Fuck."

I turn on a light, trying to figure out where I am, and the sound of the TV reminds me I'm still at the house.

And, Allegra is upstairs.

But, in my head, the dream feels so real.

I can't shake the image of Iris covered in blood.

I need a drink, something stronger than water.

When I'm pouring myself a glass of whiskey, I start to think about my habits.

I haven't been drinking myself to sleep lately, not for a while, and I wonder if this is my brain's way of telling me that things aren't okay.

I try to sleep, but the images are too vivid, and when the sun comes up, I know what I have to do.

I have to let her go.

The thought of losing Iris makes my stomach turn, but it's the only thing I can think of to keep her safe. And, when the day starts, I know the right thing to do.

It's time to end this.

No matter what happens, I can't let anyone find out about this.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Iris

I text Allegra back immediately, sensing her urgency.

Be there soon, babe. We'll make it a good day, promise. Bringing reinforcements.

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