Page 54 of Amnesty

I moved forward just slightly. “You don’t belong here, Sadie.” I held out my hand between us. She glanced at it, but made no move to accept. “And the only person you belong to is yourself. I’m here now. I’ll protect you. I’ll make sure you do anything you want, including leave here.”

I saw the glimmer in her eyes. She wanted to break free.

She was like a bird in a cage.

A small, fragile creature that craved freedom, but didn’t understand what it was.

Even though the door to the cage was propped open and no one stood in the way of escape, she hesitated. Because if she spread her wings and flew away, it would be to places unknown.

All she knew now was life inside here. She was kept. Hidden away. A beautiful bird, broken and locked up. A beautiful bird that once knew freedom but now only knew inhibition.

I left the door propped open but took a step back.

“Remember that time we got up just after sunrise and rode our bikes all the way to town just so we could get a fresh-out-of-the-oven donut from Joline and Jeremy’s bakery?” I asked, smiling a bit at the memory. “It had rained the night before, and by the time we got there, we were covered in so much mud, Joline made us wash up in the bathroom before she would let us have our donut.”

“I told you we shouldn’t have taken the shortcut through the field.”

Her words pierced me straight in the heart. She remembered.

I chuckled. It was slightly forced because it was hard to laugh in this kind of situation. “You were right.”

“Joline and Jeremy,” she murmured.

“They’re still there. Same bakery, same donuts. We’ll get one.” I cajoled.

Still, she hesitated.

“It’s okay, Sadie.”

“He said he would—” Her voice caught. “Hurt me if I wasn’t here when he got back.”

My teeth ground together so forcefully a pain in my jaw spread down my neck.

“He lied,” I said gently. “I won’t let him hurt you.”

She debated another minute, which felt like an eternity. But then she stepped forward, her hand reaching out for mine.

“Okay.”

The weight of responsibility sank down on me. She was trusting me enough to take her out of here, to keep her safe and protected. Even after the part I played in her getting here. I couldn’t fail her this time.

“C’mon.” I led her to the ladder. “You first, okay. That way if you fall, I’ll catch you.”

“I won’t fall. I’ve climbed this a lot.”

“That’s good.” I encouraged. “Go on.”

She went, her movements definitely experienced. She even managed to avoid getting caught up in the too-long gown.

I went up closely behind her, nearly running straight against her when she paused at the top.

Her face turned back down. “You’re sure he’s not up here?” She worried.

“I swear. I searched the island before I found you.”I searched and then wanted to leave. Leave you here again…

If it weren’t for Amnesia, she’d still be down in that hole.

The second Sadie cleared the top, I practically catapulted out of that den of evil. I searched immediately for Am, making sure she was still okay.

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