Page 146 of The Vanishing Place
“Pining, I imagine,” said Adam. “For the childhood sweetheart who broke his heart. Who, for all he knows, is back in Scotland.”
“I left a note.”
“For Anya, yes.” He smiled. “But she got rid of that, didn’t you, sweetie?”
“Anya.” Tears stung Effie’s eyes. “Why would—”
“Quiet,” Adam barked. “You are not to talk to her.”
“Lewis will come for her,” said Effie. “He’ll keep looking for her.”
“Wrong again.”
Effie went to say something, but Adam’s smile—white teeth set into a white face—stole her words.
“I’m afraid,” he said, “that your perfect Lewis isn’t quite so perfect after all.” He touched his daughter’s cheek. “He had Anya moved into emergency foster care after you left.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“I guess it was too much for him. You deserting him again.” Adam tilted his head, observing his child. “And with her looking so much like you.”
“June would never—”
“June’s an old woman.”
“That’s—”
“Six kids in one home,” Adam interrupted. He set Anya down. “Nasty place.” He pulled up the girl’s sleeve, revealing a line of crusted circular burns. “The dad was a smoker.”
“No.” Effie let out a sob, her body shaking as the strength emptied from her.“No.”
“But my girl’s back home now.”
Anya clung to her father’s leg as he moved back to the door.
“So.” He smiled at Effie. “I trust you will be on your best behavior.” He stroked his daughter’s red hair. “Your sister was quick to atone when Anya returned to us.”
“No.” The word came out as little more than a whisper.
“Come, sweetheart.”
Anya took her father’s hand, and the door shut behind them.
2025
Effie scrunched hereyes shut, the sunlight bright and painful.
Squinting, she held a hand across her forehead, blocking out the glare, then she looked down at her body. Her feet were bare, the skin on her soles tender, and her right ankle was purple and blistered where the chain had been.
“If you run, I’ll shoot you.” Daniel tapped the muzzle of a rifle against her thigh, signaling for her to move on, then he shoved her with his free hand. “You got that?”
Effie nodded. It was the first time since leaving Koraha that she’d been outside.
“Fifteen minutes of exercise,” he said.
She stumbled forward, her legs like heavy stumps, then she lifted her face to the sky. The sun warmed her skin, and for a brief moment, she knew nothing but the breeze and the bell-like song of korimako.
“Move.” Daniel hit the gun against Effie’s leg again. “Go on.”
