“I was scared,” Reed whines to his mom.

“I am not upset at you for being scared.” She glares at him and he avoids her stare by playing with his fingers. “You stole someone’s phone, Reed.”

Clyde left a few minutes ago after reprimanding Reed and confiscating a phone. He didn’t look happy. It can’t be that bad, it was just one phone call. “No playing the Xbox today.”

“What else am I supposed to do in this prison?” His arms flail and he throws himself onto the couch.

“How about we make him do dishes all day, instead.” She eyes me as Reed’s lips turn up. I shrug. “There isn’t anything else for him to do here, let him play,” I plead.

“Fine. You better tell your aunt thank you for saving your butt.”

That’ll never get old. I’m an aunt. He runs over and gives me a quick hug before dashing to the bedroom. “Thanks, Aunt Ell,” he calls over his shoulder. My fingers cover my smile as I watch him run off.

“Do you want kids?” Everly asks. My smile fades and I glance down to my stomach.

“I can’t have kids, but I’m okay with that. I’ve accepted it.” I manage a small smile before shifting and walking into the kitchen. It was easier to deal with before my sister had a baby with him.

As if sensing my fear, she adds, “Kase never wanted kids. He was adamant he wasn’t meant to be a dad.”

I spin around. “He’ll be a great dad,” I say, defending him.

She softly laughs. “Oh, I know. What I’m saying is, it’s okay.” Is this her way of telling me she’s okay with Kase and I being together?

I guess it doesn’t matter if there is no us though. I shake the negative thoughts from my head, no need to worry about something I can’t get answers to right now.

The day drags on, but we find ways to keep ourselves busy. At least I have a card game partner now. Despite being hidden away in this house, this time with Everly has been worth it. How do you catch up your whole life with someone who wants to know every detail? This time has been invaluable with her. I hope after we leave here, we can maintain our relationship.  

“Tell me about Wayne.”

Our conversation shifts into the part of our lives we don’t want to share. But the inquisitions aren’t out of bitterness, just genuine curiosity about each other.

The way her eyes light up, it’s obvious she still loves him. “He’s a good man who lost control of doing what was right because of love.” My lips quirk up in understanding. I get it. “Don’t be on his side. He lied to us for ten years.” Her voice hardens.

“I’m not.” I hold my hands up. “But I can see how love makes people do crazy things. Had he been upfront with you, would you have gone after Kase?”

“I’ve thought about it. Repeatedly.” She pinches her lips together, staring up to the ceiling, lost in thought before she looks at me and shakes her head. “No, I fell in love with Wayne. I wouldn’t know Kase from a stranger on the street. I was already confused, having to learn everything again. Wayne was the only thing concrete in my life. I wouldn’t have risked that.”

“So, do you—”

The front door slams open, hitting the wall, making us both jump off the couches. Panic catches in my throat as the intruder’s eyes pin mine. I’m frozen in time. Ten years ago. His eyes, still the bland brown with a few more wrinkles surrounding them and a little more sunken in. When he slams the door shut, I shake out of my stupor.

I glance at the door, hoping Clyde is right behind him. When Ray slams the door shut, I fear the worst. Clyde isn’t coming for a reason.  

“Honey, I’m home,” he grates, taking a couple of steps into the room. His voice is worse than a million spiders crawling on me. I swallow, standing a little taller with my feet wide, readying myself for a fight. “It’s been a long time, sweet pea.” Shivers run down my back at the nickname he’d call out when he’d rape me.

Don’t let him get to you. This is what he wants.

Steadying my breathing, I never break our stare. The sound of shattered glass has both of us turning toward Everly. She holds the stem of the broken wine glass in the air.

“Don’t take another step,” she hisses.

He does a double take, looking between me and her. Then his cackle echoes through the room. “Well, fuck me, double the trouble, double the fun. If I would’ve known there were two of you, I would’ve made it a ménage à trois.” My stomach heaves and I have to take a few short breaths so I don’t throw up. “If we didn’t have to leave sweet pea…” He looks at me and winks and my body shudders in disgust. There is no way I’m leaving with him. “We could’ve had fun.” He pulls out a gun and waves it at me. “Let’s go.” This isn’t happening. Not again.   

The floor shakes beneath me and I fight to stay standing when Reed walks out of the bedroom. “What’s going on?” Ray jerks back in surprise, but regains his control quickly.

“Reed, run!” I scream, rushing forward.

It’s too late. Ray grabs him and holds the gun to his temple. I freeze in place with my hands up.

“No! Don’t hurt him. Take me instead. Let him go,” Everly pleads.

“Both of you, shut up.”

“Mom,” Reed whimpers.

“It’s okay, Reed. Shh, it’s okay.” She tries to calm him, but tears run down his face.

Ray keeps looking down at Reed and then each of us.

“How old are you, kid?”

“T-t-ten.”

Ray’s eyes widen in surprise before they land on us. I have a moment of clarity and I can’t get the words out fast enough. “He’s not yours,” I spit out. “You made sure I couldn’t have kids.”

“Of course, you’d say that. Holy shit, am I a dad?” His icy glare pins both of us. “You didn’t tell me I was a dad.”  

Everly cries, “No! He’s mine.”

“I didn’t tell you because he’s not mine,” I plead.

“I don’t believe you. Either of you. Shut up and let me think!” He squeezes his hold around Reed and Everly cries harder. “I don’t know which one of you is even Ellie.” He keeps glancing at his watch, which makes me think he’s in a hurry. Help must be on the way. I just need to keep him here a little longer.

Stepping forward, I admit, “I am. I’m the one you want. Take me, he’s not yours. He’s my sister’s son.” I point to Everly.

He narrows his eyes. “And what, your twin gave birth the exact same time you would’ve had my son?”

He takes a step toward the door and says, “Come on son, we have a lot to catch up on.” I scream for him to stop as he drags him toward the door and Everly screams, lunging in his direction. He raises the gun and I know with every fiber in me he’ll pull the trigger. He‘s a psychopath. I jump, shoving her out of the way when the sound of a gun goes off.

I hit the ground and my head dizzies.

Screams ring in my ears.

My vision blurs from the pain.