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“That van! You – how? How did you pull this off?”
“Look, Paigelynn. I can answer all your questions, or I can save your life. Pick one.”
“WHAT?”
“Keep walking. Don’t say anything loud. Now, stop, bend down to Winnie, and move your hand like I’m teaching you some special dog training maneuver.”
“I don’t understand.”
“They are watching. We have to pretend.”
To her credit, she starts moving her arms as she looks at Winnie. The dog suddenly sits.
“Good girl!” Paigelynn cries out.
“What did you say to Jason back there? In his ear?” I ask as I smile and move my own hands, mimicking her.
“I told him I’m microchipped anyhow, and you’re gay, so he had nothing to worry about.”
“You’re microchipped?” I’m playing dumb, of course.
“Yes. Right above my elbow.” Jason’s watching, so I can’t look. I know it’s there. This is why I have a pen knife.
“Okay.”
“Cam, I really, really need to understand what’s going on. Why are you telling me I need to try to get out of the house? Why did you ask if I was a prisoner?”
“Because you are.”
“How do you know?”
“Because it’s my job to rescue you.”
“Rescue me? From what?”
“From these people who are keeping you imprisoned in a cult.”
“Cult?”
“Do you know what a cult is?”
“Of course I do! I’m not stupid.” She laughs at me, eyes full of fear. “You’re not making sense.”
“Give me a chance, Paigelynn. There’s a lot to tell you and not enough time.”
“You’re scaring me.”
“I’m sorry. I don’t want to. But I suddenly have to be very, very blunt. Your life depends on it.”
“You sound unhinged.”
“Oh, trust me, babe, I am unhinged. But that doesn’t make me wrong.”
We start walking again slowly.
“You – you don’t know anything about my life. I – I shouldn’t even be out here with you.”
“Then why are you?”
