Tears burn my eyes. He’s sick.
“Maybe his father was a farmer? Who knows, but he kept me entertained for hours.”
“Is that what you are going to do to me?” I sound so small and I hate it, but I feel exhausted with him down here. My brain can’t process all he is saying, I don’t think I would be as strong as the boy and last three nights listening to Henry.
He laughs. “Hardly. This structure isn’t designed for sleep deprivation. But don’t worry. I will come visit each night.”
I bury my head back into my knees. Maybe I am still dreaming.
“I wish I could sit beside you.”
My heart slams against my chest. My head rises.
“I heard you move.” He sounds like he’s smiling.
“Maybe I could get a long stick and poke you.” He’s laughing again and I see how unstable he is.
I clench my fists and keep quiet.
“You are just like a dog. Lucas’s pet. Lucas actually had a dog. It always barked at me and I hated it. Woof woof, yip yip. Annoying creature.” He moves again and exhales loudly.
“He didn’t last long with me. You should have seen Lucas’s face when he saw his dog dead. He was crying and yapping just like the dog.” He’s laughing again.
I feel sick. “You’re a monster, Henry. You need to be locked away. Not me.” I’m off the bed shouting at him. “Go away.”
Over the beating of my heart, I listen to the silence. I hate it.
“I only came to keep you company.” His words are low and he sounds like I’ve actually hurt his feelings. I hold in a sob of exhaustion; I want to tell him to leave.
“I only came to check on my wife.” He sounds like he’s moving and for one perfect moment I think he is finally bored with me and has decided to leave.
Everything in me freezes as I hear the click of the door. I’m shaking my head while stepping back.
No. No.
The creak of the door warns me of his arrival.
I don’t stop moving until my back hits the wall.
“I can hear you breathing so fast.”
I hold in a cry as he steps into the cell.
TO BE CONTINUED