Page 61 of Closer

I can’t make my feet move. Can’t seem to find the words to fix this.

A bitter laugh escapes me. Sebastian Barron, master of charm and persuasion, rendered speechless. If only the business world could see me now.

No. I won’t let it end like this. I won’t let my own demons destroy the one pure, good thing in my life.

My phone buzzes again.

What now?

Chapter 18

Lilian

“Close your eyes, Lil.”

“Mommy, I don’t want to!”

“Please, let me stay with you!” I’m in a closet.

“Close your eyes,” she says. “Be quiet, and don’t come out.”

I’m scared. I want to see her a bit longer. “No. I don’t want to!” I clutch at her dress.

She takes my hands firmly and places them over my eyes. “You must be brave. Don’t come out until I say it’s safe.”

With a dull thud, the closet door closes, and my world goes black.

Something falls to the ground. “Shit.” Her steps disappear.

At first, there is only silence. Then faint shouts, growing steadily louder. Something crashes.

“Mommy?” Crying, I crawl out. “Mommy! Please, where are you?”

Fabrics are scattered across the floor, and I reach for the doorknob only to find it locked.

Another voice. One I haven’t heard in so long. But it’s different. Hollow.

“Why is that brat still here? Itold you to take care of it.” The door handle rattles.

“No!” My mother’s voice cuts through the air.

I take a few steps back, staring at the door. Dark monsters appear, pounding on it.

One. Two. Three. Four.

The key turns in the lock. “Lilian. Come out. Daddy needs something.”

I stumble backward, staring wide-eyed at the monster scratching at my feet.

What’s happening?

Beneath me is red fabric. Or is it paint? I lift my hand, and it reminds me of those kindergarten days when we used to make handprints with paint on paper.

A scream. A heavy thud shakes the floor. My eyes snap back to the door. Red spills through the bottom.

“Daddy?”

“Daddy’s… Daddy’s going for a walk.” My mother’s voice is heavy.

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