Page 38 of Abandoned

He answered immediately. “What’s wrong?”

“Miley is trapped in the closet, the dresser is shoved in front of it, and it’s too heavy to move. Can you come help me?”

“I’ll be right in.”

“Zara?” Miley’s fear seemed to be amping up.

Zara jogged back into the room. “I’m right here.” She turned to the four-year-old. “Can you go let Officer Will in?”

He nodded and darted out of the room.

Zara reached across the dresser and pressed her hand against the slotted wood doors. “I’m right here.”

Miley’s hand pressed against the other side.

Zara’s heart raced, and she tried to force her mind not to fall into the dark hole that loomed. Focus on Miley, not on where Miley is.

Will followed Corbin into the room. Will’s eyebrows furrowed briefly when he met Zara’s eyes. But he didn’t question her; they simply got to work moving the dresser.

Not only was it heavy, but the shaggy carpet gave so much resistance that the two of them could barely move it. How on earth had Brett moved this himself? Sure, he was big and strong, but Will wasn’t exactly a weakling.

Three minutes later, they had the dresser moved enough they could open the bifold doors. Miley emerged and fell into Zara’s arms.

“Are you okay?” Zara held Miley back so she could look into her face.

“Yeah, I didn’t know how long I’d be stuck in there, and I was so worried about Corbin.” She turned to her son and opened her arms.

The boy ran to his mom and buried his head against her chest.

“What happened?” Will’s voice was kind and gentle.

“We had a fight, not about anything important, but he shoved me in the closet. When he reached for me, I thought he was going to hit me again, but he didn’t. Although I think he wanted to, he controlled himself.”

Zara rubbed Miley’s arm. “I’m glad he didn’t hit you, but locking you in a closet is also abuse.”

“No, it’s fine. I shouldn’t have argued with him. I didn’t mean to upset him. I would have called sooner, but I didn’t have my cell phone. Corbin brought it to me and slid it under the door.”

The boy lifted his head. “I had to go potty.”

“Good job helping your momma.” Zara wished she could save these two from the abuse, but there was only so much one could say.

He leaned back into his mother. The little guy was tired.

Zara said, “We should let you get him back to bed. Are you gonna be okay?”

“I’ll be fine. Thank you for coming. I didn’t know who else to call, but you already know how Brett can be. He says he really is trying to change.”

“Change is hard. Trust me, I know.”

They walked into the living room, and before they went out the door, Zara gripped Miley’s arm again. “Seriously, don’t hesitate to call if you need anything. I’m only five minutes down the road.”

“Thank you.”

Will opened the door, and she followed him out.

She stayed half a step behind him. It felt too weird to walk beside him. But she needed him. She felt like she was going to be crushed, and like she couldn’t move the dresser on her own, she couldn’t lift the lid on her emotions either.

He slowed for her to catch up and bumped her arm with his. “Are you okay?”