Page 197 of The Invite
“Your sister means the world to you, doesn’t she?” she says sweetly after wrapping her arms around my waist.
I play with her silky hair, fascinated by the feel of it. “It’s always been me and her against the world.”
“What about your mother?”
“You’ve met her. Does she seem like an affectionate woman?”
“People are different behind closed doors.”
“Well, she’s always been the same.” Which is completely indifferent to her children’s lives. I know it won’t matter to her if we live or die. We’re only important because we serve a purpose in her grandiose plan to rule the world.
Nessa’s expression turns crestfallen and she cautiously asks, “Were you close with your dad?”
“I was.” His sudden passing still causes a visceral pain. “He was an amazing dad. Patient and kind. It was because of him I took sketching as a hobby. He never judged me for being different and loved me for who I am.”
“I’m sorry you lost him so soon,” utters Nessa, holding back tears.
“The last time I cried was after his death.”
If possible, she becomes even sadder. “At least you know you were loved, Augustus. He may be gone, but his memories will always stay with you.”
Except memories fade as time goes on.
“Do you miss your parents?”
A shutter goes down on her face and in a dead tone, she confesses, “No.”
“Why do you hide their picture?”
“Because unlike you, I want to be rid of their memories. It took me a while to realize they didn’t really love me. If you put conditions on affection, it’s not love.”
“If my father taught me anything about love, it’s that it’s unconditional. If I went through what you did, my dad would’ve torn the world apart and hunted my captors down.”
“You were lucky to have him then.”
There’s so much longing and misery combined in her sentence, that it feels like someone inserted a searing rod insidemy chest. Cupping her face, I promise her, “I can’t take away your parents’ or tormentors’ memories, but I can help you conquer your fears, Nessa.”
“How?”
“Let me take you to the basement.” It’s risky what I’m suggesting, but the reward will be her taking one step toward healing.
She shudders violently. “No.”
I hold firm as she tries to shove away from me and soften my tone. “There’s nothing to be afraid of, honey. I’ll be with you. The room I took you to before was an old and unused one. I have another space that is nothing like it. At any moment you feel like it’s too much, just say the word and we’ll turn around.”
Over the weeks, I’ve come to understand and know her on a deeper level. All she needs is a little nudge. Having done it in the past when it came to her fear of knives, I know the same approach could work.
As she shrinks in fear, looking like a shell of a broken person, I swear my heart roars in agony. It’s an emotion I’ve come to recognize every time the thought of her in danger filters through my brain.
I’m equally furious that the people close to her turned her into this, adding salt to the unhealed wounds left by those monsters who took her.
However, underneath the frightened girl lies the glimmer of the courageous woman I know all too well. The one determined to slay her demons one at a time. I need to coax her out.
“You’re stronger than you think you are. You survived a horror that most people can’t. You handled everything I threw at you. You, my Nessa, are a force to be reckoned with.” I add a little motivation lightheartedly. “If you’re brave and come with me, I’ll kiss you again.”
Watching me under her lashes, the fortitude in her eyes grows. I’m proud when she nods. “Okay. I’ll try.”
Before her anxiety can trickle in, I take her hand and guide her back into my closet. I help her into one of the pairs of leggings she brought with her so she isn’t naked from the waist down. The stairway can be a little cold.
