Page 2 of Unlocked

“Umm, okay,” Aunt Greta sighs. “Come with me, Mr. and Mrs. Clark, so we can get the paperwork started. They follow her up the steps and into the house. Once they are out of sight, Jonathan turns to me with excitement.

“We are getting a family!” He squeals before grabbing and dragging me inside and up to our room. I look around the oldroom, realizing we really have nothing to pack. We have been in this room all our lives, and we have absolutely no personal possessions. My brother lies on his bed and tosses the ball in the air while I make my way to mine. I pull the book out I hid earlier and flop onto the bed, leaning my back against the wall and pulling my knees up. The sound of footsteps walking down the hall causes me to hastily shove the book under my pillow. Aunt Greta appears in our doorway while a group of younger kids run by, screaming and laughing.

“Keep it down," she yells at them as she enters the room and sits on my bed. My brother sits up on his and looks over at her.

“Are you both ready to go?” She asks as she fidgets with my bedsheet.

“Yes,” my brother says excitedly.

A look of worry crosses her face before she eyeballs the edge of the book, peeking out from under my pillow.

“I know you have been reading my books, Jamison. I also noticed that a particular one has been missing for a while. Would you like to take it with you?” She smiles, but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes.

“I would, yes,” I respond to her before tilting my head. “Are you unwell?”

Suddenly, she pulls herself together and sits up straight.

“Of course not, I’m fine. Why wouldn't I be? You guys are finally going to have a home!” Aunt Greta stands up and claps her hands together before ushering us towards the door. “They are ready for you both now.”

My brother runs ahead and jogs down the stairs, but Aunt Greta stops me at the top.

“Watch out for your brother, Jamison. Do as Mr. and Mrs. Clark say. They come from a very prestigious family. Their name will take you very far someday.”

I nod my head at her and turn, but she grabs me quickly and whispers, “Please be careful, Jamison. Money is the root of all evil.”

She disappears down the stairs before I can respond, leaving me completely confused.

Chapter 2

Kaz

Eight years old

“Hey darling, why don’t you come sit over here with me?” An old man asks me as I sneak through the tables at Mommy’s work. His teeth are crooked and yellow and his nose is big but Mommy always says she has to be nice to the men at work. I want to be like her. She gets to dress up fancy and wear pretty makeup like a princess.

“I’m looking for my Mommy,” I reply, in my most grown up voice. “I can’t find my crayons and I want to color.” I put my hands on my hips and stand up tall, lifting my chin and smiling wide. My lashes flutter just like Mommy when she talks to men.

The old man chuckles and pats his leg. “Come sit here, darling. I’ll call someone over to find you some crayons.”

He seems so nice and I really do want to color so I hop up on his thigh, wiggling around to get comfortable. He grunts like I hurt him, making me freeze.

“I’m sorry. Did I hurt you?” Maybe he has a bad leg. Our neighbor has a bad leg and she’s always walking around with her cane, moaning.

“No, Darling.” His voice comes out gruff.

I continue looking around Mommy’s work, trying to find her in the crowd of people. My nose scrunches up when I see some of the nice ladies Mommy works with walking aroundwith their boobies showing. Why aren’t they wearing the pretty outfits that they got all dressed up in? I turn to see another lady dancing for a man. She’s on his lap just like I am, except she is pushing her naked body against him. I look away quickly, embarrassed by what is happening.

“Don’t be ashamed, Darling. These beautiful women aren’t afraid to do what feels good,” the old man whispers in my ear. His breath is hot on my ear and it smells rotten. “Does this feel good?” He asks, rubbing his fingers on my thigh, just below the hem of my dress.

“My tummy hurts,” I reply, closing my eyes.

The old man hugs me closer to his body, surrounding me with his bad smell. “Shh, Darling, I’ll make you feel better.” My eyes snap open when his rough fingers work their way underneath my dress and slide higher.

“I shouldn’t be out here. Mommy told me not to leave the room.” I try to move off of the old man’s lap but he keeps me in place, his grip on me tightening. A lone tear slips down my face just as my eyes connect with Mommy’s. She’s naked up on a stage. The lights are shining on her brightly, while she dances to the music playing. She looks angry.

Suddenly, I’m ripped from the old man’s arms. I look up into the eyes of Miss Mary, Mommy’s boss. She looks at me worriedly before glaring at the old man.

“We were just talking,” he says, with his hands up.

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