“A lot, my darling,” Jack says, his thin lips pulling up in a smirk that sends shivers up my spine. Jack slowly runs his hand up my left thigh, his eyes fixated on mine. “I’m going to make you see me like you see him.”
I feel my bravado slip away like ice on heat. My stomach churns with fear and disgust at the implication of his words.
His eyes seem to shine with feverish excitement as they bore into mine, intensifying my horror.
I shake my head violently.
“You...You can’t...”
The ropes bite painfully into my skin as I struggle even harder.
“Let me go! Do you think you’re going to get away with this? Abram will be here soon... I was on the phone with him before you took me.”
Jack barks out with a mocking laugh, his hand pausing on the waistband of my pants.
“You exaggerate your importance, darling,” Jack says with a scoff. “Lover boy won’t be here to save you this time.”
I let out a horrified scream as Jack yanks hard at my pajama bottoms.
Suddenly, there’s a sickening thud.
Jack freezes.
I watch with wide eyes as he slumps to the ground in a useless pile. I slowly raise my head, and my eyes clash with familiar blue eyes that I never thought I’d see again.
Blood instantly rushes to my head, and I fight to overcome the haze of dizziness that assails me.
I gape at the woman who just saved me, a kitchen pan held limply in her hand. Is it my hazy mind conjuring impossible images, or is that really...
“Mom?”
* * *
The sound of the police sirens fade into the background, and a heavy silence envelops the house.
I wonder if she can hear the loud pounding of my heart. It’s the only thing I can hear amidst all the ringing in my ears.
My back aches from sitting so straight, and my hands have almost gone numb from clasping them so hard.
My mind is in a daze, so I can’t even form the thousands of questions pushing against my mind.
“Melody?” Mom calls, leaning forward slightly to search my face.
Why is her voice so soft?
Is that concern I see in her eyes?
This is all a dream from which I’ll wake up anytime soon, right?
“Melody?” she calls again. “You look pale. Do you need to go to the hospital?”
You’re amazing...You’re perfect.
Abram’s voice suddenly filters into my head, overshadowing the voice of fear and doubts.
And just like that, I realize that I’m older. I’m stronger. She can only hurt me if I give her the power to. So, I square my shoulders and raise my eyes to hers.
“I’m good,” I say in a leveled tone. “How did you find me here?”