Page 129 of The Vanishing Place
“It’s rude to ignore a man when he’s talking to you, Effie.”
She inched closer to the door. If silence was all she could hurt him with, she’d willingly chew off her own tongue and spit it out. Then the bastard could choke on it.
“Effie.” His voice was raised. “I asked you a question.”
His heavy breathing leaked through the wood. But she didn’t speak.
“Answer me!” he demanded.
He drove his fist into the door, and the crack vibrated in Effie’s chest. She bit into her cheeks and held her body completely still.
“Disobedient little whore,” he spat. “I’ve half a mind to come in there and smash in that little bitch face of yours.”
The door handle rattled but it didn’t open. Effie frowned. Why hadn’t he come in? Why hadn’t he hurt her? Why, since she’d been there, hadn’t she seen anyone?
He thumped the door again.
“You’re welcome to come in,” she said, the words beating hot in her stomach.
Then the thumping stopped. There was a pulse of silence before he snorted.
“You’re not permitted to socialize with us.” He grunted again. “You’re a poison.”
“Who’s us?”
“Quiet!” he snarled. “You are not to ask questions.”
“I thought you wanted me to talk.”
A furious bang silenced her as he struck the door. “You will talk when I want you to.”
Anger pounded beneath Effie’s skin and she pressed her fingers into her forehead. Anya was there, behind her eyes, pleading with her.Come back, Effie. Please, come back. Effie wanted to yell at him—to retaliate. She wanted to rile him to the point of self-destruction. Until her words needled beneath his skin, and his fingers clasped around her throat. But instead, she did nothing. She stayed quiet. For Anya.
“Are you repentant?” he asked eventually.
“I don’t understand,” she said, keeping her voice even. “I don’t know what I’m meant to be repentant of.”
He snorted. “Clearly you need more time.”
Sweat prickled at the base of her neck.
“Or perhaps,” he continued, “those born of sin are beyond saving.”
“Who are you? What am I to you—”
His fist pounded on the door. “No questions!” he yelled. “You are to be silent unless spoken to.”
Then there was shuffling on the other side of the wall, and the man spoke to someone as a faraway door creaked open.
“She’s only to get one meal today,” he said. “And nothing for bathing.”
The shadowed feet moved from the door.
“Answer me,” he shouted.
“Yes.” The reply was whispered and small.
“And you are not to talk to her.”
