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As I reach the doorway, she pulls me into a hug, and I stand awkwardly, my arms limp by my sides. I pull out of the embrace, but she keeps her arm around my shoulders, guiding me to a small worn table in the corner of the kitchen.
“Your hair is different. Did you cut it?” she asks, frowning as she takes a section of my hair in her hand, letting it slip slowly through her fingers. I have no idea how to answer. I haven’t cut my hair, it’s the same as it has always been. This woman is clearly insane, truly believing I’m someone else.
“Yes,” I whisper, hoping I’ve chosen the correct response.
“Well, I love it,” she exclaims with a smile. I breathe a silent sigh of relief as she pushes gently on my shoulder, coaxing me to sit down. She slides a glass of milk in front of me, and it’s only then I realize how thirsty I am. It’s been hours since I had a drink, and I snatch up the glass, gulping the milk down noisily.
“Thank you,” I mumble as I set the empty glass on the table in front of me. She busies herself at the stove, and I wonder where Matt has gone. As much as Amanda seems crazy, I don’t think she’d hurt me, not if she truly believes I’m Cora. It’s Matt I have to worry about.
“There you go, your favorite.” With a flourish, she places a plate in front of me. Dropping my eyes, I groan inwardly.
Goddammit!
It’s an omelet.
I hate omelets.
“Thank you,” I tell her quietly, slowly picking up the knife and fork lying on the old wooden table. Despite hating what she’s made me, my stomach rumbles, letting me know it’s been hours since I last ate. After cutting up the omelet, I fork a piece into my mouth, chewing quickly before swallowing. It’s the texture I don’t like. Actually, the taste isn’t that bad. With how hungry I am, I’d more than likely eat anything right now.
Once I finish eating, I sit silently at the table while Amanda clears up. I have no idea what I’m meant to do now. This all feels surreal. I’m not tied up, but I can’t leave. Not yet anyway. Not until I can be sure I can get away. My mind wanders to the office I passed in the entryway. Maybe a phone is in there I can use to call for help? My parents must be frantic. I wish I could let them know I’m okay, even if I have no idea where I am. A tear falls down my cheek, and I quickly wipe it away.
“Where are we?” I ask quietly. “I’ve forgotten.”
Amanda turns from the sink and frowns. “We’re at home, silly. In Cedar Falls.”
“Cedar Falls?”
“Cedar Falls, Iowa.” Her frown increases as she wipes her hands on a towel. “Are you feeling okay?” She moves toward me and places her hand on my forehead.
“I’m just tired, I think. The back of the van wasn’t comfy.”
“Why don’t you go and lie down, sweetheart? It’s been a long couple of days. I’ll come with you and make sure you have everything you need.”
I try not to react to her words as I follow her out of the kitchen. A couple of days? Is that how long I’ve been missing? And we’re in Iowa? That’s miles from Savannah. We must have driven all through the night.
I slowly follow Amanda upstairs. She’s talking, but I don’t hear a word. My mind is screaming with a thousand questions, none of which I have the answers to. As we reach the top of the stairs, I hear muffled banging. I can’t be sure if it’s coming from inside the house or outside, but as we make our way down the hallway, the banging becomes louder. We come to a stop outside a closed door.
“Here we go. Your room is just how you left it. There are fresh towels in the bathroom if you want to shower.” She opens the door and gestures for me to enter. As I do, I see the source of the banging. Matt is standing in front of the bedroom window, holding a hammer in one hand and what looks like a nail in the other.
“What are you doing?” Amanda asks from behind me.
He turns and looks over his shoulder. “Just making sure Cora’s room is secure, baby. I’m nearly done.” Turning back to the window, he positions the nail and drives it into the wooden frame, the hammer connecting with the nail until it’s barely visible. I wince at the sound, knowing he’s making sure I have no chance of escaping. With all the banging I heard on the way up here, I’m guessing he’s nailed the window shut.
“Come on, then, if you’re done. Cora needs to rest.” She holds her hand out to Matt, who moves away from the window and wraps his arm around Amanda. He looks down at her. The cold eyes from earlier have disappeared, and he stares at her as if she is the air he needs to breathe. I’m only thirteen, but even I can see Amanda and Matt are head over heels in love with each other.
His complete shift from psycho to loving husband unnerves me.
I wish I knew what was going on and why I’m here. I’m too afraid to ask though, and I don’t want to piss off Matt. I have a horrible feeling he meant every word he said to me earlier in the van, and right now, I don’t want to test that theory.
ChapterTwo
Haillie
Six months later
As I kneel on the slightly damp grass, I absentmindedly turn the earth over in the garden, the small rake in my hand flicking dirt everywhere. I’m pretending to concentrate on what I’m doing, but instead, I’m watching Matt out of the corner of my eye. It’s been a little over six months since I arrived here in the back of his van, terrified and alone.
Surprisingly, the time here has been okay. Far better than I ever thought it would be when I first arrived. Amanda still believes I’m Cora and playing along has kept Matt somewhat happy. I’m locked in my room every night, and the window is still nailed shut, but I’m allowed in the yard during the day. I’m hopeful that one day I’ll get to go home. I miss my parents so much it hurts.
