Page 71 of Where We Found Our Home
When she finally does, I speak. “I don’t regret anything, Angel. I meant what I said. I will always be yours.” I caress her face, and she lets a tear fall before her face hardens again.
I head out to my car, but I don’t leave. I stay parked, watching her building for the rest of the night, my heart cracking with every moment that passes.
Eddie
You’re weak, doll.
I know you better than you know yourself. I knew the moment I laid a finger on that little brat that you’d play right into my hand.
Kids really ought to pay more attention. She was so wrapped up in her tablet that she didn’t even notice me walk in and sidle up to her. Pathetic.
She put up a good fight once I grabbed her. Not as good as you that day outside of your job but decent. That was a fun game we played that day, right? I enjoyed it. I think the little shit enjoyed it too. No wonder you like her so much.
Fuck, I could barely hear myself think over her incessant whimpering. That’s one point I’ll give you. You didn’t cry like that when we played this game. You slept peacefully through most of it. As soon as I pulled my knife out, she was quiet though. I guess she’s not as dumb as she looks.
I don’t even know why she cried so much though. She was tied to a tree in a park. Big fucking deal. When I was her age I had been tied to many things—chairs, radiators, steering wheels. I’d be left there for hours. No food, no water, sitting in my own piss and shit. I had to learn to free myself. I bet the little brat won’t do that though. She’ll just cry until she’s found.
Weak. All of you women are weak.
I’ve changed the game, doll. So what are you going to do now? Try to outrun me? Try to lure me away from your friends to some other bumfuck city? I think not. I still have one more trick up my sleeve.
Ciara
I’ve been packing for the last hour, but it’s taking longer than it should because I can’t see past my stupid tears.
I can’t believe I allowed this to happen. I knew it wasn’t smart. I knew I should’ve kept my distance from these people, but I let them capture my heart anyway, and now I’m even more lost than I was when I first got here. When Sasha called me frantic that Nevaeh was missing, my heart sank imagining her trapped in a trunk or worse just because Eddie wanted to fuck with me. Every tear that fell down Sasha’s face cut me deeply until I emotionally bled out. He’s escalating because I had the audacity to live my life. He wants my attention. He’s got it. I can’t let this go any further.
I don’t even know how he found me, but it doesn’t matter. He’ll find me again, and this time I want him to. I want him to find me as far away as possible from Lincoln and everyone else I love.
I promised Simone that I wouldn’t keep her and the girls out of the loop anymore, so I pick up my phone and start a video chat.
“Hey, what’s wrong? Have you been crying?” Brittany immediately asks.
“He found me.”
“What?” Sarah shrieks.
“Tell us what happened,” Simone demands.
I fill them in on the situation with Nevaeh yesterday and how I’ve decided to move again.
“Wait. Why would you leave? You’re safest there with them.” All of their eyes are wide with a mix of concern and anger, but I didn’t call to get their opinion. I called to say goodbye.
“Yeah, and they’re safest without me.”
“We’re back to this shit? Fine, then come home.” I don’t have the heart to tell her that Baltimore hasn’t been my home since this shit began.
“I’m not coming back, Simone. I’m sorry.”
“Ciara! You can’t go off on your own. He’ll find you again and he’ll…” Brittany can’t even bring herself to finish that sentence.
“Where are you going to go?” Sarah cries.
“I don’t know yet. I’ll figure it out on the way. I love you guys.”
“Don’t you dare hang up!” I hang up and block their numbers. I hate myself for it. But by the time they hop on a plane and come here, I’ll be long gone. I want to say goodbye to Nina and Sasha, but I’m too much of a coward to call them because they could actually get to me before I take off, so I settle for a text.
Me: I love you guys. Just wanted to say that
