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She gestures us in, and I let her take Lindy from my arms. Lindy flinches ever so slightly, but she recovers just as fast. Lindy rushes her to the couch, putting her there and covering her with a blanket.
I watch as the maternal instincts I lacked kick in for my old friend. She runs to the fridge, grabbing a bottle of water, and she rushes back. Laurel practically rips the bottle from her hand, so thirsty that she drinks it too fast.
“Slow down. It’ll make you sick to drink too much,” Lindy says with a soothing voice, running her hand down Laurel’s cheek.
Laurel leans into the affectionate touch, already growing trusting of Lindy. This girl is making me want to cry. I’m too emotional. This is too risky. But she deserves a chance at being safe, loved, and happy.
“I bet you’re hungry.”
Laurel nods emphatically, and even though it’s closing in on three in the morning, Lindy rushes to the kitchen, grabbing the bread and peanut butter.
“You like PB&J?” Lindy asks.
Laurel nods, still drinking the water.
I watch patiently, a little in awe, as Lindy makes a sandwich and grabs another bottle of water.
As she hands to small girl her food, Lindy looks up to me.
“What happened to her?”
Before I can answer, Laurel answers for me. “The angel saved me from the monster. He won’t ever hurt me again. The angel will keep me safe.”
I nod toward Lindy as she covers her own mouth. Tears spring to her eyes. That’s all she needs to know.
Laurel digs into the sandwich, and I gesture for Lindy to join me in the kitchen.
As soon as we’re in there, I check to make sure Laurel hasn’t followed us.
With barely a whisper, I tell Lindy, “When this breaks the news, you come forward. Tell them a little girl showed up at your door, but you don’t know who brought her to you. The man’s name was Kenneth Ferguson. I’m sorry to ask this, but it’s the only way they may find the bodies he has buried without me giving them the information myself.”
I hand her a piece of paper, and she swallows thickly, as though she’s going to be sick.
“Is he still alive?”
I shake my head slowly.
“Good,” she says quietly, looking over at the little girl. She stares at her, and I remain silent, studying her, trying to figure out what’s in her head.
“You’re really here. Alive. Looking so different.”
“It’s really me.”
She nods, her eyes still lost and not on me.
“You’re going after them, aren’t you?” she asks in a hushed tone, her eyes coming back to meet mine.
I nod once.
“I’ve heard whispers and rumors that some of them had died, but I haven’t found it on the news. I was hoping it was true. I was wishing it was me who had the strength to do it.”
My lips twitch. “You’re strength comes from somewhere different. Somewhere more pure. Mine? Mine is hollowed out and filled with darkness, Lindy. I’m taking a huge risk by coming here.”
“But you needed that little girl to be safe,” she says, filling in the blanks. “And you trusted me.”
“You lost a lot trying to get me and my brother justice.”
Her face changes, a coldness washing over her. “That’s not your fault. I tried to tell everyone, but no one wanted to listen. Kyle tried to shut me up. He…He…”
