Chapter 3

I said, my words coming out in a frantic jumble, "I'm sorry. Please don't hit me. Please don't hit me.

"I swear I'll never sneak food again. That bun was just something someone tossed out. I was just so hungry. Please don't lock me up in the dark room."

Rocky stood frozen, as he'd just been struck by lightning.

His hand was still hovering in the air, but he just couldn't bring himself to let it fall.

The only sound in the room was my muffled sobs.

Rocky crouched down, wanting to reach out and hold me, but he didn't dare touch me.

"Wendy, no one's going to hurt you. It's me, Rocky," he said softly.

I looked up, my face streaked with tears, my eyes full of fear, not even recognizing him.

I said, "Mr. Summers, please, have mercy on me.

"I have nothing left. I'm too afraid, I really am. I won't dare do anything again."

Rocky took a deep breath.

Rocky said, his voice leaving no room for argument, "Come with me.

"People shouldn't have to live in dumps like this. You're coming with me to a hotel."

I clung desperately to the table leg, shaking my head like crazy.

I said, "No. I won't go.

"It's way too bright over there. I'm scared. I just want to stay here, it's the only place I feel safe."

Yvette realized Rocky wasn't just bluffing this time, and she started to freak out.

"Wendy, Rocky only pities you, that's all," Yvette said.

She towered over me, then tossed a thick wad of cash onto the floor right in front of me.

"Take the money and go find somewhere decent to stay. Stop making a fool of yourself out there, and quit clinging to Rocky with your sob stories," she said with a cold smirk.

Rocky was about to blow up, but I acted before he could.

Instead of the Wendy I used to be, I didn't snap or shove the cash right back at her.

I fell to my knees, reaching out to pick up the money one note at a time.

Carefully, I pressed the bills against my chest, keeping them close to my heart.

Rocky stared at me in utter disbelief, as he'd just been slapped hard across the face.

"Wendy, you," he stammered, completely at a loss for words.

I looked up at Yvette, my eyes brimming with tears.

Tears streamed down my cheeks, but I forced a smile so pitiful it was almost groveling.

I said, my voice trembling with a mix of gratitude and despair, "Thank you, Mrs. Summers, thank you for your generosity.

"This money, it's finally enough.

"Enough to finally give my mom a place to rest."

Rocky went rigid, his face draining of all color.

"What did you just say?" he asked, his voice trembling.

He grabbed my shoulders, his grip tight and desperate.

"Your mom, she's gone?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

I dropped my eyes, refusing to meet his gaze, my tone so detached it was almost chilling.

I said, my voice flat and empty, "Yeah, she died the second year I was locked up.

"I never got to see her one last time.

"They say someone pointed right in her face and screamed at her until she just died from the rage."

Yvette was the one who wouldn't let it go; she made sure I got charged, and she was the reason I ended up behind bars.

And after I got sent away, Yvette kept showing up just to torment my mom.

Rocky whipped his head around to glare at Yvette, his eyes suddenly cold and downright terrifying.

"Yvette," he snapped.

Yvette's face went white as a sheet, panic written all over her.

She was totally blindsided. I had caught her off guard by bringing it up.

"Rocky, don't listen to her. She's just making things up," Yvette said.

She rushed over and grabbed my hand.

"Wendy, how can you accuse me out of nowhere? Your mom was already in poor health," Yvette said, her voice shaking.

I screamed and went with it, falling back as my body gave way. My body slammed into the wobbly old cabinet behind me.

With a thunderous crash, the whole thing went down.

The cabinet toppled, and all the junk on top came crashing down on me.

I hugged my arms tight, shaking my head in terror, huddled up, trying to make myself as small as possible.

I said, "I'm not making it up. Mrs. Summers, please don't be mad. It's all my fault. I'm the one who should be punished.

"Please, don't push me anymore. I'll give the money back right now. I won't even try to get a proper grave for my mom. Just toss me in the unmarked graves with the rest."

I was crying, frantically digging the money out from my chest, my hands trembling.

"That's enough," Rocky said, his voice booming with fury.

He shoved Yvette aside, stepping protectively in front of me, his whole body tense with rage.

"Get the hell out of here," he shouted at Yvette.