Page 57 of Siccitas

He fucks me at lunch, and again just before dinner, but then he says he’s going to bed early because he’s tired.

Maybe old age really is catching up with him.

I wait for Richter to go to bed before I sneak into Skylar’s room. I shake her gently and she opens her eyes.

“Is it time to go see Mommy?” She whispers.

“Yes,” I murmur. “Get your coat and shoes on and be very quiet.”

I help her get dressed, and then I take her teddy bear. “To keep you company while we get there.”

“But we’ll be back tomorrow, won’t we?” she asks.

“We’ll be back soon,” I lie.

I pick her up and carry her to the back door. I open it slowly and slip out, leaving it open because I don't want to close it and wake anyone up. I carry her down the pathway and I make sure to stick to the solid stone to avoid any more traps.

“Is it far?” she asks.

“Hush,” I whisper. “We don’t want to wake Daddy. He’ll be very mad.”

“Why did Mommy leave?” Skylar asks.

“Because Daddy made her,” I say quietly. “But if you’re good, you can stay with Mommy and live a happy life.”

“What about Daddy?”

“Skylar, I need to tell you something. I need you to listen to me. Daddy is a wicked man who is going to hurt you when you’re bigger. He hurt your mommy, and he hurts me all the time.”

“No, he doesn’t. He loves us,” she says, squirming in my arms.

“No, he doesn’t, he lies.” I say, holding onto her. “Skylar, just listen.”

“Why? You’re not my Mommy.”

She smacks me in the face and wriggles out of my arms.

“Skylar,” I hiss, hurrying after her.

I round the corner and find Skylar in Luke’s arms.

“You tried to take my daughter away from me.”

“This cycle ends tonight,” I say. “I will kill you before I allow you to hurt her.”

“Daddy won’t hurt me,” Skylar says from his arms. “Daddy loves me.”

She hugs him tightly, and it breaks my heart. Darby loved him too at one time, before she knew better.

Before he broke her.

Before he fucking killed her.

He sets her down and pats her head. “Stay on the path and go home. Daddy will deal with this.”

Skylar jogs away, and I raise my cane. “Over my dead fucking body. You will not touch me again. If I can’t take Skylar willingly, I will call the Feds. I will call the news. I will tell everyone your dirty, fucking secret, Luke.”

He inclines his head and smiles.

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