Page 39 of A Fine Line

I switch on the bedside lamp, so she’ll be able to see that it’s me then I stand up and walk to the foot of the bed. I reach over to pull her foot, my words as close to calm and soothing as I can muster as I say, “Flora. It’s okay. Wake up.”

First, she kicks at me, and I immediately release her, saying a bit more loudly, “Flora. Wake up, princess.”

She thrashes about on the bed as if she’s fighting someone off, then crashes against the wall and sits upright, pressing herself back against it, as she stares at me with wild eyes. I don’t make any move to get closer to her; I remain standing where I am, my expression neutral.

Her eyes flit around the room as if she’s looking for an escape route. She takes a shuddering breath in, and then exhales on a sob before her eyes move back to mine and she finally recognizes where she is and who I am.

I hold my hand out to her, palm up, and whisper, “I’m here, princess. No one’s gonna hurt you.”

Her eyes move from my face to my hand, then back to my face and I extend my hand a little further and wait. One beat passes, and then she reaches her hand out, hesitantly placing it in mine. I grip her hand gently; then wait to see what she’ll do.

Tears stream down her face, but she’s starting to calm, and I open my mouth to reassure her again when she scurries across the mattress and into my arms, where she curls around me, her face pressed against my chest, and then she sobs.

I cradle her small frame in my arms and walk over to the chair in the corner, sitting down with her in my lap. I press my face against the top of her head, whispering, “I’ve got you, princess. I’ve got you. It’s okay. No one will ever hurt you again.”

I continue to hold her, rocking her and speaking soothingly, reassuring her that her nightmares are over.

And at the same time, in the back of my mind, I plot my revenge.

They’re all going to die.

Chapter Fifteen

Tony

Iwakeinthemorning with a dead arm and a stiff neck.

Flora lay against me, crying for an hour before she finally settled enough to fall back asleep. When I tried to move her back to the bed, she stirred, and the low sad sound that fell from her mouth stopped me from trying to move again.

Finally, I reclined us in the chair, and she slept fitfully for the rest of the night.

I manage to deposit her back onto the bed, and by the time I get myself cleaned up and dressed for the day, I exit the bathroom to find her lying there with her eyes open, staring at the ceiling. I stop beside the bed and poke her foot until she looks at me.

“You gonna get up, or you gonna lay there all day?”

She says nothing, so I flip the blanket back and grab her ankle, pulling her down the bed until she squeaks and then laughs. She wriggles around until she’s sitting on the side of the bed, wearing what appears to be some small adult clothes that are obviously way too big for her tiny frame.

“Do you need the bathroom?” I ask softly, unsure of the morning routine of any child, never mind a little girl.

She shakes her head, so I hold my hand out to her, and she takes it without hesitation, and then we exit the room and make our way down the hallway toward the kitchen.

Voices float from the room, but as soon as we enter, everyone stops speaking, and they all stare at us. Flora releases my hand and steps behind me, peering around my leg cautiously as she takes in the group standing before us.

Nettie and Aggie both come around and walk over, then they take turns speaking to her until she slowly comes out from behind me and stands next to me, once again gripping my hand.

“How is she?” Aggie asks as she straightens, her eyes still on the little girl.

“A little touch and go,” I say, waving a hand dismissively. “But no problem. I got it covered.”

Nettie also stands, placing a hand on Flora’s head as she gives me a speculative look. “No problem, huh?”

I ignore her, instead asking, “Where are her clothes? These makeshift ones aren’t gonna work with her up and walking around.”

“I burned them,” Aggie says. “One of the men has girls around her age, so he called his wife to bring her some stuff. She should be here soon.”

Jayme walks over and stands next to Aggie, eyeing me expectantly, obviously intent on an introduction. I nudge Flora, and when she looks up at me, I nod toward Jayme and say, “Princess, this is your Uncle Jayme. He’s kind of an asshole, but he’s alright. Most of the time—“

“Tony!” Nettie interrupts, her tone chiding. “Watch your language.”

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