Page 41 of The Villain's Captive (The Villain's Duet 1)

The bed squeaked as I pushed myself up on my elbows, glancing around. It was Ellie’s room, the dirty pink curtains torn at the seams and hanging off half the curtain rod. The only two dolls she had were placed on the old bedside table, the paint peeling off the sides. Next to it stood the music box, the one I bought Ellie for her birthday, but never got the chance to give it to her. What was it doing here? Did they find it?

Oh, no. Ellie. Where was she? Why was I in her room?

The memories of Roland, and Ellie, and my mom exploded into my head, and I leapt off the bed. “Ellie! Ellie, where are you?”

I tripped over the dirty carpet which was once a pretty purple, but now mucky gray.

“Ellie!” I tried to open the door, but it was locked. “Ellie!” I kept screaming, slamming my fists against the door. “Where is Ellie?”

All I remembered was Roland throwing her, her tiny body hitting the wall, making the most sickening sound. Or maybe it was my heart that broke. Either way, she didn’t get up. She didn’t move.

“Let me out! Ellie!”

The click of the lock made me step back, my heart racing at a million beats per second. Roland appeared, his large frame, broad shoulders, and fat belly blocking almost the entire entryway.

“Where is my sister?”

“Who?” He slanted a brow, his dirty green eyes glaring in my direction.

“Ellie. Where is Ellie?”

“I’m sorry, Elijah. But I don’t know who you’re talking about.”

My skin went cold, chills slithering around my body. “My sister. Ellie.” My nostrils flared. “Where is she?”

Mom stepped in behind Roland, glancing around him. “What is going on?”

“Your son is acting fucking crazy again.”

“No. What?” I frowned. “I’m not crazy.”

Roland pointed at me, his lips curled as he leaned closer to my mom. “Do you know an Ellie?”

Her eyes met mine, a moment of recognition flashing between us. It was a single second of unspoken truth, until she opened her mouth and spat out the lies.

“We don’t know an Ellie, Elijah.”

“No.” I shook my head. “You’re lying. Where is she?”

“We’re not lying, son.” She stepped in, watching me with caution. “There’s no Ellie here.”

“This is her room!” I shouted. “This is her bed, her toys. Her clothes.” I pointed at the broken laundry basket in the corner.

My mom picked up one of the dolls. “Elijah, this is Harley’s room. Roland’s daughter. You remember her?”

I shook my head vigorously, my hands trembling.

“She visits us every second weekend. She was here two days ago.”

God, I was so confused. My mind was like a maze of things that made no sense.

“I’m not crazy,” I bit out between clenched teeth. I was so scared and so angry, I want to run and throw up at the same time. But I knew I wasn’t crazy. Ellie’s face and the memories were just too real to be a lie. “You killed her…didn’t you?”

Something dark flashed in Roland’s eyes, every crease and crinkle of his face drenched in evil.

“You hurt her. You killed her.” I sucked in a breath. “Didn’t you!” I screamed so loud, I was sure the neighbors heard, but I still didn’t care. I hoped they heard. I hoped they’d send help so I could find Ellie.

“Listen, boy.” Roland walked past my mom, shoving her to the side. “I won’t tolerate your lies. I don’t care how crazy you are.”

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