Page 265 of Nobody's Girl

“He’s thinking about money, Alyssa,” he says as he wraps his hand around mine. “Because that’s what he wanted from us before. Of course, we refused to give him any as nothing wrong was done to her. Far from it. What she was doing was wrong.”

“How much money did he want?”

“He asked for a million dollars. How do you like that? He would’ve given his daughters virginity away for a million dollars.”

Mostly to myself, I mumble, “This is a crazy place. We should probably move away.”

Eden kisses the hand he holds, then says, “There are crazy people everywhere, Alyssa.”

A knock comes at the door. “Open up son. It’s Papa,” Lyle calls out to us.

Eden opens the door and Lyle reaches in, quickly pulling him into his arms, hugging him tightly. He lets him go, finally, then grabs me, hugging me too.

“You kids, okay?” he asks as he finally lets me go.

“Yes, sir,” Eden tells him.

I walk out, only to get snatched up by Eden’s mother. “Oh, my babies, I was so worried.”

Eden helps me get out of her grip, only to find he’s caught up by her. “Mom, it's okay,” he says, soothingly to her.

As we walk past our open bedroom door, we see the glass on the floor as the sunlight shines through the broken pane, reflecting the light on the numerous pieces.

My parents are in the living room. They both rush at us, taking turns hugging us.

“Gee, guys, really? So much fuss? We’re fine,” I tell them.

With a serious tone to his voice, my father tells us, “Sit down, please, both of you.”

I’m shaken by his demeanor. Eden and I sit down as the four of them stand in front of us. Mom comes to sit next to me as Eden’s mother comes to sit next to him.

“The man who was here is very dangerous,” my mother says as she pats me on the back. “He’s done some horrible things, it would seem. When Lyle called the police to let them know there was an intruder and that he got away, they responded immediately. They saw the surveillance footage from the security cameras and they recognized him as he’s being sought after for a prior crime.”

My father puts his hand on my mother’s shoulder and says, “His daughter, Karen, was found in an alley in downtown New Orleans last night. She was badly beaten. Luckily, she was found and taken to the hospital. There she told the doctors her father had been sexually abusing her for years. She tried to stop him from doing it again, but he beat her, then took her, dropping her off in a deserted alleyway. He thought she was dead. They sent police to his house only to find it was burned down.”

I look at my mother in shock and disbelief as I reach my hand out to Eden. “I should’ve never opened that door. I put us at such risk, Eden,” I say despondently, upset with myself.

Eden holds my hand. “No, don’t blame yourself.”

I turn to look at Eden. “I’m so sorry, Eden. You should go see her.”

Eden’s father stops me. “Going to see her is out of the question. We’ve already sent someone to look after her there. She’ll be well taken care of. She will have the finest medical care, both physically and mentally. We’ll take care of her, don’t worry. She’s been told you’re aware of her condition, but you cannot come to see her for safety reasons. She’s fine with that. We’re trying to locate an aunt who she says is the only relative she’s ever heard anything about.”

My head is spinning at this information. What an animal that man is and I let him into our home. Then I’m reminded he was in the mansion way before he got to my door.

How did that happen?

“Did you find out how he got into the mansion in the first place?” I ask.

“He walked right through the front door. He somehow knew the correct code to gain entry at the gates. The code has already been changed,” Lyle says, as he shakes his head almost sadly.

“We do know he’s not on the premises anymore though,” my father says, turning our attention to him. “While his car is still here, he was seen climbing over the fence. Just to be safe, though, you’re all coming to stay at our new house until he’s caught.”

“How is there any safer than here?” I ask.

“The house is smaller, with a safe room built into each bedroom,” Lyle says. “The closets are all safe rooms there. The security system is state of the art, even better than what we have here. Also, I don’t think he’s figured out your parents live here in New Orleans now. So I hope he won’t be looking for you there.”

Eden rises, pulling me up with him. “Then I’ll finish getting dressed and we will leave.”