Page 133 of I Am Salvation

Was he the one who came into her room that night and cut her? The event that led to my abandonment by my family?

She doesn’t know.

She can’t remember.

And that’s okay.

She recalls only being taken from her home by Sir, whose real name was Mack. He didn’t hurt her at first, she says. He only hugged and kissed her and gave her baths where he touched her all over.

I want to kill him.

But when she grew up a bit…

The horrors unfold as she breaks down, and finally the detectives questioning her take pity on her.

“We can finish this another time, Ms. Locke.”

“Where’s Bridget?” Griffin asks.

“She’s in the custody of child services,” I tell her. “You’re her mother, so you can get her back.”

“Yes, and we’ll help in any way we can,” the detective says.

“And Sir?” she asks timidly.

“He left her,” I tell the detective. “He’s the one who’s been getting in touch with me. He called me and left me clues.”

“I guess he was finally ready to move on,” she says.

“You’re going to be okay now, Griffin,” I tell her. “You and Bridget both. We’ll get her back. And somehow, I’ll take care of both of you.”

“I knew I’d recognize you when I saw you again,” she says. “I’ll never forget those kind eyes of yours, Dragon.”

I smile and pat her hand. “Come with me. Diana and I will take you back to the house in Taos. You can get all your things, and tomorrow, we will get Bridget.”

“I’d like that,” she says.

“So you’re comfortable going with Mr. Locke here?” the detective asks.

“Of course I am.” She grabs my hand and squeezes it. “He’s my brother.”

“All right. If you’re sure, we will release you into his custody. You’re an adult, after all.”

“Do you even have any identification?” I ask.

She shakes her head. “Probably not. I never learned to drive, and honestly, Dragon, I can hardly read. Neither can Bridget.”

“We can take care of that right away.”

She widens her eyes. “What if it’s too late?”

“It’s never too late to learn.”

I close my eyes. Think about everything my sister has been through. Abduction. Abuse. Rape. Having to bear a child when she herself was still a child. Being subjected to God knows what at the hands of this awful cult.

Fuck.

I could use a drink.

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