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I don’t bother responding to the text, instead throwing my phone onto the bed and dropping down beside it. I hate this sense of letting them win, even in this little way. But I have no doubt they meant what they said. They’ll find a way to make me regret it if I make a big deal about this.
So instead of marching downstairs, like I’d intended, I change into pajamas. Then inspiration strikes, and I go to the bathroom to retrieve the chair, which I wedge under the doorknob in here. Just because I’m locked in doesn’t mean somebody couldn’t decide to unlock the door and do whatever they felt like. I’m not going to make it that easy for them.
Once I’m sure there’s no getting in from out in the hall, I go to bed. The events of the day have left me drained, physically and emotionally. I might be able to handle things better if I get a good night’s sleep.
CHAPTER 4
It’s the first thing on my mind the moment my eyes open on my first morning in the new house. Before I’ve even shaken off my sleepiness, I get out of bed and go straight to the door to test the knob. Unlike last night, it turns freely. That doesn’t mean I’m about to move the chair from in front of the door, but I know now that they don’t plan on keeping me locked in here like a hostage night and day.
After washing up and changing out of my pajamas, I have a decision to make. Do I stay up here, or do I risk facing my enemies downstairs?
There’s really nothing to think about. I’m not leaving this room until I absolutely have to.
In the meantime, I’m going to do something I thought over last night while I was trying to fall asleep, one eye always on the bedroom door. I wanted to see whether the knob turned like somebody had unlocked it, but I fell asleep before that happened. It’s amazing I slept at all, really.
I need to get a job, and fast. I need to make enough money to get out of here and find a place on my own. I can’t live the rest of my life this way, that’s for sure. Lying in bed, staring at the door, expecting somebody to break in.
I set up the laptop on the desk before taking the chance to remove the chair from under the doorknob. Soon I’m scrolling through job listings, and within an hour, I’ve applied to six different places—stores, a pizza place, and a coffee shop. It doesn’t matter what time of day I have to be there. If anything, the earlier, the better. More of a chance to avoid my bullies. I’ve never worked anywhere like this before, but if there’s one thing I know about myself, I’m strong. I can handle a little hard work.
To my surprise, there’s an email waiting for me by the time I finish the sixth application. It’s from the pizza shop. Can you come in today for an interview at 4:00?
My eyes widen. I didn’t expect to hear back from anybody so soon. I type out a quick reply, telling them yes, I’d be happy to. Now, I never exactly dreamed about slinging pizzas all day, but then I’ve never dreamed about being afraid to fall asleep in case one of my hateful stepbrothers decides to terrorize me in the middle of the night.
I’ve barely finished sending the email when there’s a brief knock on my door, followed by my mother’s entrance. “Good, I see you’re settling in nicely.”
“I’m doing my best, but—”
Before I can so much as hint at what went on last night, she continues, “Breakfast is nearly ready.”
How am I supposed to eat with a pit in my stomach? “Are we all eating together?” I ask, mentally crossing my fingers in hopes of her saying no.
No such luck. “Of course.” I guess my reaction isn’t what she was hoping for since her eyes narrow in a familiar way. She can try all she wants to be the happy, chipper bride-to-be, but those little flashes of the real person behind her smile insist on slipping through. “Now, you listen to me. I don’t want any of your complaints. I don’t want you dragging your feet or muttering things under your breath. I refuse to allow that. You will not ruin this for me, understood?”
All I did was ask a simple question. Clearly, she’s waiting for me to answer, and she’ll accept only one answer. “Understood,” I whisper, and the words curdle in my mouth.
“Good. Be downstairs in three minutes.” She’s out of the room a moment later, and I sink back in my chair with a heavy sigh. So much for staying out of everybody’s way, hoping they forget about me for a little while.
