Page 104 of Day Break

I took the phone and scanned more than three dozen photos and other items related to me. Malory was correct—there were images of me and Lane, me and George, and ones of me walking alongside the road in the outfit I’d been in when I’d been released from prison. Images of me and Byron sitting in the wet sand sharing that first apple. There was even an image of me sleeping in the tall grass in my little makeshift home.

I felt a shiver run down my spine and my stomach tightened. He’d been stalking me from the moment I’d gotten away from him. The moment I’d been freed from him.

Jumping up, I raced to the bathroom and lost the few bites of dinner I’d taken.

Lane was suddenly there, pulling back my hair, rubbing my back.

“Easy,” he said softly. “Breathe.”

I closed my eyes as tears fell, streaming down my cheeks. My hands shook, and I felt light-headed.

Why?

I kept asking this over and over.

“Why me?” I managed to say.

Lane handed me a glass of water. I kept my eyes closed as I swished the cool water and spit several times.

I leaned back and closed my eyes, resting my head against the wall.

“He likes control,” Malory said from the doorway. “It ate at him that a woman turned him in. That it was you. That you’d gone against him. Also, I knew instantly that he hated that I’m the lead detective.” She smiled at me. “And that you got away.”

“I didn’t get away. I was taken away,” I pointed out. “If not for that, I probably would have never left. Never thought to leave. Until that day, the day the police came over a year ago, I believed every word, every lie, that man told me.” I felt sick again but swallowed it down and took another sip of water. “I would have remained his meek dutiful wife for the rest of time.”

“Then you’re luckier than most,” Malory said, leaning against the door and crossing her arms over her chest. “How many other women are in the same position that you were in and won’t get that chance?”

I thought about it and, suddenly, the self-pity that had consumed me moments earlier was replaced with hatred. Hatred for the man, the men, who used religion and fear to control people.

I’d been a child when I’d first been told that if I didn’t keep sweet and obey something bad would happen to me. That I’d go to hell or, worse, that I’d become an apostate.

How many others believed these lies? How many girls or women had no means of escape?

“I can see you’re thinking about that. Good. I don’t like protecting weak people,” Malory said with a nod. “And I can tell by the anger in your eyes that you’re not weak. So clean yourself up and get your skinny butt back in there so we can enjoy one of the only homecooked meals I’ve had in over a year,” she added with a smile.

“I like you,” I said. I laughed when I realized I’d said it out loud.

Malory laughed too. “I like you too,” she said, then she turned and disappeared.

“Well?” Lane held out his hand and helped me up.

“I’m going to head up and brush my teeth. Go eat. I’ll be right back down.” I hugged him, then headed upstairs to clean up.

It took me longer than I’d expected. I’d soiled my shirt and wanted to change. When I made it back downstairs, the dining room was empty.

The meal that I’d made sat cold on the table, untouched. Lane and Malory were nowhere to be found.

“Hello?” I called out, thinking that they’d disappeared into the study for some reason. I looked into the dark room and realized instantly that it was empty. “Hello? Lane? Malory?” I called as I walked quickly from room to room.

Then I realized that even Byron was gone. He’d been by my side in the bathroom, until I’d headed up the stairs. Then he’d opted to stay by Lane’s side where the food was.

By the time I returned to the kitchen, I was in full panic mode. Then I noticed that the back sliding door was open, and my heart jumped.

Of course, they were just outside. I stepped out and knew instantly that something was wrong. The yard was empty. The night silent.

Here I’d been so worried that Elliott would get to me. Not once had I imagined that he would try to hurt me by getting to Lane.

Not thinking clearly, I raced through the yard and headed towards the beach, screaming their names over and over.