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“Sure,” I reply, feigning enthusiasm. As they rattle off questions about an upcoming project, I nod along, though my thoughts remain elsewhere.
Once I’m alone again, I open my email inbox and am greeted by a flood of panicked messages from Sienna, each one more urgent than the last.
Annalise, please call me as soon as you can.
Are you okay? I haven’t heard from you in days.
Please, I need to know you’re safe.
I feel my chest tighten as I read her words, guilt and fear swirling together into a nauseating mix. Sienna must be terrified, and I haven’t done anything to ease her worries. What kind of friend am I?
I begin to type, my fingers moving quicker than they ever have before, as the truth pours out. Once I’m finished, my mouse hovers over the “send.” I’ve always told Sienna everything, but is it safe?
How do I explain that I’m allowing myself to be held captive…complying so I can see my daughters again?
She’d never understand.
Maybe I could just call, let her hear my voice even if I can’t explain everything.
“Where’s my damn phone?” I mutter under my breath, searching through my purse. My heart drops when I remember that Cassius still has it. Any chance of a quick call to ease Sienna’s fears is gone.
I sigh. I’ll answer her later, once I figure out what to say.
“Annalise, have you finished those reports yet?” my boss calls from his office, his impatience evident in his tone.
“Almost, sir,” I reply, trying to sound composed, as I close Sienna’s email and pull work back up.
I glance at the date displayed on my computer screen and feel a sudden pang in my chest. Has time really moved that fast? Today is the anniversary of my sister Mikayla’s death. How could I have forgotten?
Mikayla and I had always been close, but the year before she died, she started acting weird and pushing me away. And I could never forget the last interaction we had.
The wind whips my long wavy hair across my face as I stand in front of Mikayla’s house, my heart hammering against my chest. She’s been acting so off lately, and I can tell something’s wrong. If there’s anything I can do to help, I want to. I raise my hand and knock firmly on the door.
“Come on, Mikayla,” I whisper under my breath, fidgeting with the hem of my blouse.
She’s been avoiding me more lately too, but I know for a fact she’s home because her jeep is parked in front of the house.
The door creaks open, revealing a nervous-looking Mikayla with darting eyes that avoid meeting mine. My stomach twists into knots at the sight of her, concern gnawing at my insides. “Annalise,” she breathes, her voice unsteady. “I-I can’t talk right now.”
I step forward, blocking Mikayla’s path and forcing her to face me while I step into the house. “No, we need to talk,” I insist, my voice filled with urgency. “I can’t stand by and watch you like this. What’s wrong?”
Her body tenses like a coiled spring, and she attempts to sidestep me, but I’m faster. My hand shoots out, gripping her arm gently but firmly, refusing to let her escape.
“Please, Mikayla,” I plead, looking into her eyes—searching for the sister I know and love. “You don’t have to go through this alone. Whatever it is, I can help.”
This timid person isn’t my sister. Mikayla has always been strong-willed, but lately she’s nothing but a shell of who she used to be.
Her gaze darts away from mine, her lips pressed together in a thin line. “You don’t understand, Annalise,” she snaps, trying to pull her arm free from my grasp. “This is my life, and I can handle it.”
“Is that why you’ve been avoiding me?” I ask, my voice wavering. “Because you’re handling everything so well?”
“You’re a kid, Anna.” She rips her arm from my grip and pushes the front door open, stepping outside with me following right after her.
The suns casts dappled shadows on Mikayla’s face. I gasp, my eyes widening at the sight of a bruise on her cheek, partly hidden by her disheveled hair.
“Who did this to you?” I demand. “I’ll kill them.”
“No, you won’t.”
