Page 103 of Orion Ruined

“Okay. If I see her, I’ll tell her to go to your room and hide in there until they leave. Will that work?”

“Yes. Please tell her that,” Lisa says, then mouths ‘thank you’ to me.

“Sure. Bye, Lisa.”

Lisa closes the door, and at almost the same time, Mya opens the closet, as if she couldn’t wait to get out.

“Is that why you were hiding? You didn’t want to see your uncles?” I ask.

Not looking at me, she nods.

“Has any of them hurt you?”

She shakes her head.

“Has any of them hurt your mommy?”

She shakes it again.

“Okay. Has any of them hurt your daddy?”

Her eyes flick back to me at the speed of light. Her pupils dilate, and she freezes. Almost stops breathing.

“How about we play a game, Mya?” I ask carefully. “Why don’t you go to your room, real quickly? You have ten minutes before they show up, and you can hide in there until they leave. I’ll make sure they come and go as quickly as possible, okay?”

She shakes her head again. No wonder; she’s terrified.

“Okay then. How about I get dressed and take you to your room, and then I’ll go and tell them to leave. Deal?”

She nods.

I stuff the last piece of toast into my mouth before putting the tray aside and getting out of bed.

While I wash my face and brush my teeth, Mya chooses a short navy-blue dress for me. I put it on, brush my hair, and apply some pink lip balm. I then offer her my hand. “Shall we?”

She holds my hand tight in her small fingers, as if she’s ready to face the world. We leave the room and walk across the landing in the direction of her bedroom when I hear Uncle Colletti’s voice from the bottom of the staircase.

“Maisy, is that you?”

He’s looking up at us. I stop, and Mya doesn’t let go of my hand. “Give me a minute, Uncle Colletti!” I call. “I’ll be there shortly.”

Uncle Leo pushes his brother aside. “Let me see her… Maisy!” he grins. “Oh, Maisy.” Perv.

Uncle James shows up behind him too. He doesn’t say a thing, but his eyes move from me to Mya and she squeezes my hand so hard, it hurts.

Orion shows up from behind me, and instantly shields me with his body. “Why the fuck is Mya with you? And what are you wearing?” he hisses.

“Mya chose my dress. And I love it.” I look at her and smile. “I’ll take her to her mother. See you in two minutes.” Orion grunts and I lead Mya up to the top floor where her bedroom is.

Lisa’s sitting on the bed waiting for us, but judging by her fidgeting fingers, she’s nervous. “Mya, where were you?”

I get down onto one knee, putting myself at Mya’s eye level. “Don’t worry, sweetie. We’re not going to let anything happen to you.”

She jumps into my arms, hugs me hard, and breaks down in sobs.

“Wh-what happened?” Lisa asks anxiously.

“It’s okay, Mya,” I whisper. “You squeezed my hand when Uncle James showed up his face just now. Is that the man you saw when your daddy was killed?”

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