Chapter 3
Sophie wasn't used to showing her softer side. When I didn't respond, she put her hands on her hips, her eyes darting around nervously.
Suddenly, she spotted something, her expression shifted, and she shoved me toward the stairs.
She said, "Go up. Stay out of it."
I figured I'd gotten on her nerves again, so I just nodded.
Back in my room, I looked out the window at the lawn and saw Sophie talking to someone.
She looked anxious, and a pair of dark hands reached out from behind the wall.
My eyes widened in shock.
It felt like I was back in that dark trash can again.
Back then, those same dark hands had yanked me by the hair and dragged me out.
My whole body shook with fear, and all my wounds started aching again.
But... Sophie was in danger.
Those dark hands were really dangerous.
My legs went weak as I clung to the banister, stumbling my way to the door.
"Get lost, or I'll tell Mom and Dad!" Sophie's voice was sharp and anxious, echoing through the door.
No, she had to get out! It was too dangerous!
My legs were threatening to give out, but I ignored the pain and desperately rattled the door, trying to get out.
"You wouldn't dare," came that familiar voice.
Even without blood in my veins, my whole body felt icy.
"What are you trying to say?" Sophie shot back.
The guy let out a weird, sinister laugh.
"Just imagine what they'll think of you if they ever find out the truth," he sneered.
That jab hit Sophie right in her weak spot. Her long silence made me even more restless.
I forced myself to steady my trembling body.
I had to save her. That guy was trouble. I couldn't let anyone else die because of this.
Sophie said, "Shut up! The cops are way more interested in creeps like you than in me.
"You should be glad my sister is safe. Otherwise..."
Sophie seemed to mention me, and I suddenly got a bad feeling in my gut.
But then, Mom's face flashed through my mind.
Sophie looked so much like Mom and Dad.
I always knew I was a foundling they took in and raised as their own.
When I was little, the other kids would tease me, saying I was found by the dumpster, but Mom and Dad's love made me feel cherished.
I loved Mom and Dad so much, so...
I clenched my fists, steeling myself for what I had to do.
"Still putting on an act?" the guy sneered, his weird laugh echoing in the hallway.
His wet, sticky mouth noises made my throat tighten, that nasty sound clinging to my eardrums.
So annoying.
"What do you mean by that?" Sophie demanded.
The man just kept grinning, about to open his mouth again.
"Shut up!" I growled, cutting them off with a harsh edge in my voice.
The guy didn't spot me at all. He just assumed a parent had shown up and vanished into the darkness.
Sophie had never seen me look this tough before.
"Emily?" she called out.
I didn't say anything else. I just looked down and said, "Go upstairs."
"Emily?" Sophie called out again.
Stayed out of this. Did not say anything. No one else could know.
Sophie was still shaken, but she could sense that I genuinely wanted to help her.
That night, she showed up at my door, clutching her little pillow.
"Emily, I'm scared. Can you stay with me tonight?" Sophie whispered.
It was the first time she'd ever relied on me like this, but I didn't say yes.
I had a lot on my mind. That guy was seriously dangerous.
He was always lurking in the shadows, violent and twisted.
He was after Sophie, but she was the only child Mom had left.
I couldn't let Mom go through that kind of pain again.
"Go back to your own room. I don't like sleeping with other people," I said firmly, shutting Sophie down.
Her bratty voice came through the door, and I heard her pacing around, stomping her feet a few times before there was a loud thud.
After that, it was totally silent outside.
I grabbed my clothes and headed out, not realizing at all that Sophie was sneaking along behind me.
The night closed in on me like a giant hand, threatening to swallow me whole.
But love lit up my courage, pushing me forward.
Maybe this was the world giving me a shot to finally get rid of this menace for everyone.
I checked out the dumpsters, the sewers, every spot that creep might've slipped into.
The damp, rotten stench crept into my nose like worms.
Even though I'd been dead for a while now, every time I passed through these places, I couldn't help but gag.
Nothing. Not a single clue.
I dropped my head, feeling helpless.
Suddenly, I spotted a red bow tangled in the weeds nearby.
That was Sophie's.
I was about to lose my mind. Those bloody, savage memories twisted in my head, and suddenly, it was like Sophie was the one suffering through it all.
"No! Please, don't!"
"Get away! Mom, Mom, help me!"
"I swear I know I was wrong. Mom, please help me!"
"I don't want to die... I want to live..."
"Someone... anyone..."
"Please... help me..."
I clutched my head, but there was no time to deal with those haunting memories.
I couldn't let Sophie get hurt.
I didn't care that the stitches holding my body together were coming apart. I burst in just in time to block that creep before he could drag Sophie down into the sewer.
"Emily!" Sophie screamed, flailing and fighting with both arms and legs as she attacked the guy.
She was like a fierce little wildcat. All those years in the orphanage had made her fast and scrappy. She bought herself just enough time to fight back.
"Go get Mom and Dad! I'm fine!" she shouted, still managing to tell me what to do even in the middle of the chaos.
Me? All I could do was beg for mercy. Compared to her, I was totally useless.