Page 32 of Dark, Forbidden, & Taboo

Besides, if anyone messes up and they have to bring it to me, then in turn, I have to turnthemin to Grandpa Berry, and then we never get to see them again.

It’s sad and I hate that it’s me, but I’m the only one who’s not afraid of him, so they made me the communication link between him and the rest of us.

Besides, he’s been good to me from the day I landed onhis property, and I learned how to deal with the old man right away.

Respect.

That’s the only thing he’s ever asked for, and I supply it in spades.

I shake my head fondly as I reach up to scratch my hair, then cringe when I feel how goddamn greasy it feels.

I walk down the short hallway, opening and closing doors on the way to find the bathroom. There are only three of them, and somehow, I manage not to be surprised when it’s the last door of the room I peek into.

It’s almost as cute as the showroom downstairs,I think with a chuckle.

I take a few steps toward the tub, push the shower curtain aside, and turn on the faucets. I hold my hand under the running torrent until it’s not too hot or too cold, then press a protruding metal button down curiously.

“Ugh!” I shout, recoiling instantly as the shower starts pelting me.

Not that I should be complaining. Any water running over me, with or without clothes, that can scrub off the layer of grime I’ve been wearing for the past few days is a godsend.

I peel my sweaty, dirty clothes off, quickly followed by my bra and panties, then toss them into an empty hamper near the toilet.She’s gonna have to set that fucking thing on fire,I think ruefully as I lower the wicker lid.

I perch on the edge of the tub, suddenly deciding that I’d much rather soak in a nice, hot bath, and pull the shower button back up. I glance around the ceramic perimeter until I find the drain stop, then pop it into place.

I’ll have to bleach the bathtub when I’m done, but I honestly can’t remember the last time I’ve been relaxed enough to sit in a basin of water with my eyes closed and not have to worry about being possibly raped, or at the very least, stabbed.

I stand up and grab a bottle of shampoo, flip the top open with a thumb, then squirt a stream into the water.It’s not exactly bubbles, but it’ll do,I think happily as I step in and lower myself into the bathtub.

Taking a calming breath, I rest my head against the back of the tub and stare up at the ceiling, knowing full well what’s going to happen once I relax.

I’m going to have what I affectionately refer to as daymares. I’m not lucky enough to have these terrors when I’m asleep—they almost always come when I’m awake and finally feeling at peace with things.

Let’s get this over with,I think unhappily as I slip further down into the water, and focus on the spiraling feeling that’s starting to wash over me.

___

Thump, thump, thump.

My teeth grind together as I do my best not to cry. It’s him again—Daddy Julius, sneaking into my room. I sit up and holdmy pillow tightly against myself. He hates it when I fight, but it also means he doesn’t have enough time to do everything he wants.

As soon as I hear the door creep open slowly, my lower lip begins to tremble. I’m not sad and I’m not scared. I’m angry. I don’t know why Daddy Julius has to do these bad things to me instead of Momma Josephine, but he does it a lot.

“Daveigh?” he whispers into the darkness.

That’s what my friends would call me at the home I lived in for a while, but he’s not my friend. He shouldn’t be calling me that.

“Are you awake, sweetheart? Daddy wants to talk,” he coos into the darkened room.

Go away, I think angrily as I lay on my back and hope that the bed will turn into more of a monster than he is and swallow me up whole.

___

Submerging myself under the water, I close my eyes tightly, praying for the strength to drown myself. I stay below the surface for as long as I can hold my breath, then sit up, splashing water all over the floor and sigh as I wrap my arms around myself.

My life is worth more than being a martyr to Julius Parker’s devious desires

And if I’ve lasted this long, I can damn well sure go on a little longer.

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