"What do you think?" he asked.
Kerry immediately opened her mouth, but Keith stayed her tongue with a raised finger.
Detective Rainsford simply shrugged.
"I have no idea," he said. "I went to therapy with my ex-wife for years, but it was just a waste of money. All I can say is that we’re out there searching. Every day we’re searching, looking for Georgina and the other missing girls. We want nothing more but to bring them back to their families—to you guys. We do our best to bring them back whole, but…”
Keith shut his eyes and Georgina's cute button nose with a smattering of freckles appeared behind his lids.
She can't be gone…
The door to the lounge suddenly opened and Keith’s eyes snapped open.
For a second, a fraction of a second, he thought the child who’d entered the lounge was Georgina.
The kid was about her age, and equally as cute. He even had her same striking blue eyes.
"Jeremy, please go find your mother," Dr. Stitts said, stepping towards the boy. "You can't be in here now; daddy's working."
The boy lowered his eyes and left without saying a word.
"Sorry about that."
"What would you do?" Keith asked suddenly. "What would you do if it was your boy lying on the bed in there? What if you were worried about him hurting himself… would you do this? Would you rearrange his memories?"
He expected Dr. Stitts to take a moment to think about it but was surprised when the man replied immediately.
"I would do whatever it takes to save my son,” he said. “I would do everything I could to make sure that he doesn't hurt himself."
Chapter 20
"I can… I can eat here?" Georgina asked, her eyes wide. "With you—with everyone?"
Brian nodded.
"Of course, we’re a family and we eat together. That was just one of the things that Mama taught us. She always… she always wanted a big family. It’s just too bad that she couldn't be here to join us."
Georgina blinked as she tried to take this all in.
Mama wasn't here to join us.
During her short life, Georgina had encountered death only twice. The first had involved a goldfish that one of her mother's friends had bought Chase for Christmas. The morning after one of Kerry’s parties, Chase had found it floating upside down in the bowl. Georgina had listened in when her father had explained what had happened to a bawling Chase.
He told her that the fish would return to the earth so that other creatures could live. It was the circle of life.
Georgina had thought it strange that in order to return to the earth they’d flushed the goldfish down the toilet, but she didn't question her father.
Three months later, when her Nana died, her father had taken a different tone. Unlike the goldfish, Georgina never heard him use the word ‘died’ or ‘dead’ or talk about Nana returning to the earth. Instead, she heard a lot of ‘Nana’s moved on’, ‘she’s at peace’ or ‘at rest’, ‘Nana’s in a better place’.
And while Brian hadn’t used any of those exact terms when referring to Mama, Georgina was pretty sure that Mama wasn’t with them now because she was dead.
It was all very confusing, and it made her head hurt just thinking about it.
Brian clapped his hands and she snapped out of her head.
"But enough of that. We have a big family and I know that she is looking down on us and smiling. Now, Timothy is not as good a cook as Mama was, but he'll get the hang of it. You'll see, Riley, you'll see that everyone here at the table has a special skill. We all also have our own chores and jobs to do, but together we are a complete family unit." Brian looked off to one side before continuing. "Yeah," he said almost absently, "Mama would be proud of us. Of all of us."
On that note, Timothy opened the door and entered the room, a steaming casserole dish in his hands.
Georgina’s stomach grumbled, and she forgot all about Nana and Mama and Chase’s goldfish Dip. She was starving.
"I love pasta," somebody—Sue-Ellen, Georgina thought—said. Georgina didn’t bother looking; her eyes were locked on the steam rising from the dish.
No sooner had Timothy placed the dish on the table did Georgina reach for it. She knew that this was rude, but she was just so darn hungry.
Her tiny hand had just grasped the serving spoon when Brian spoke up.
"Riley," he said with a chuckle. "Not yet, sweetheart. First, we need to pray."
The words sounded so uncannily like the ones her father used to utter, that she froze.
"That's right, sit back down, Riley. We pray before every meal." Brian turned to look at Melissa. "Will you do the honors?"
Melissa nodded, interlaced her fingers and placed her elbows on the table. Then she closed her eyes. In fact, everyone at the table closed their eyes. Everyone, except for Georgina.
"Dear Lord, we thank you for this delicious food and bounty before us. We thank you for our good health and good fortune to have ended up with Brian and Timothy. We thank you for the wonderful weather outside, the sun in the sky, and the wonderful peaches that we ate today. Amen."
The mention of peaches made Georgina lick her lips.
"And for family; never forget our family," Brian added.
With that, they all opened their eyes and said Amen—even Georgina.
Then Brian grinned.
"Now, Riley, now, you can dig in."
Chapter 21
Keith Adams knelt on the pew and interlaced his fingers. He took one look at the ceramic Jesus hanging at the front of the chapel and then closed his eyes and bowed his head.
After a deep breath, he started to pray.
God, I know you are very busy, that you have many important things to worry about. But I have been a faithful servant of yours for many years now. During this time, I haven’t asked for much if anything, but I have been grateful for everything. I’m here now, begging you to return my youngest daughter to me. I’m begging for you to help Chase go back to who she was. I just want my family back. Please, please, I—
Fearing an onslaught of tears, Keith paused to try and calm himself.
It worked… somewhat.
Please, he began again, please tell me what you want me to do to ensure that my family becomes whole again. I'm afraid… I'm afraid I'm not strong enough to get through this. If this is some sort of test, I'm not sure I'm going to pass. Things are just so… so confusing. I just want things to go back to the way things were before.
As he prayed, images of his family flashed in Keith’s mind. Happy images at first, like the days on which both Chase and then Georgina were born. He recalled the way Kerry had looked so beautiful even though she'd been sweating, and her hair was a matted mess. He recalled the way the babies had cried immediately, a sign that they were healthy and hungry. He thought about when Chase had lost her first tooth and how she’d bawled when a new one hadn't come in right away. Kerry had scolded him when he said it might never grow back and that she looked like an old woman now.
He remembered taking Georgina to her first soccer practice and how she’d just run around the outside of the other players, never coming anywhere near the ball.
He remembered her laugh.
But things weren’t always pleasant. His thoughts turned to the weird interaction between Mayor Lupo and his wife, about the flutter he’d felt in his chest when he couldn't find the girls.
He recalled the sour taste of alcohol he'd been drinking with his friend when he was supposed to be watching them.
Is it my fault, God? Is it because I was drinking too much, is that why you took them from me? Cuz I’ll never touch the stuff again. I swear.
Keith's hands started to ache, and he opened his eyes again. He hadn’t expected any sort of miracle, and the big man didn’t disappoint.
He separated his palms and rose to his feet.
"Amen," he whispered.
Keith was halfway to the door that led back into the hospital but stopped to t
urn back once more. He stared into ceramic Jesus’s blue eyes.
"Please, God, tell me what you want me to do."
When no answer came, Keith bowed his head and stepped back into the hospital.
A quick glance at his watch showed that it was coming on six in the evening, which was when the nurse’s shift changed over. Dr. Stitts and Dr. Patterson had decided that this was probably the best time to start Chase’s treatment.
They'd assured him and Kerry that while the procedure was harmless, it was unnerving to watch. They were also told that interrupting the individual sessions might cause unexpected results and that this should be avoided at all costs.
Basically, they could watch if they wanted, but they were not to interfere.
But Keith had to see. He couldn't let these doctors, no matter their credentials, treat his daughter without witnessing what they were subjecting her to.
The procedure was to take place in one of the rooms that was reserved for day surgery, which would be empty during the shift change. The only problem was, Keith couldn’t remember which day surgery room. Above, he spotted a large placard with an arrow indicating that surgical rooms one through three were to the right, while four through six were to the left.
Room three… I think.
Keith went right and picked up the pace as he made his way down the sterile hallway. He’d reached the door leading to room three when he heard a voice and stopped.
It was Kerry's voice.
At least I guessed the right room, he thought glumly. That’s something.
But as he pressed against the door, he realized that Kerry wasn't speaking to either one of the doctors or Detective Rainsford. She was talking to the mayor.
"This is your fault," Kerry hissed. "This is all your fault."
"Kerry, I'm sorry. I would've told you if I thought there was any danger—"
Keith's mind flicked back to the curious interaction he'd observed when they’d still been out actively searching for Georgina.
"You should've told me about the missing girls," Kerry repeated. There was anger in her voice, and her tone was slowly rising. "You should've told me the moment it happened."
"I'm sorry, like I said I—"
"You knew that there was someone out there preying on young girls, and you still called me away… pulled me into that room. For what?"
It suddenly became difficult for Keith to swallow.
"I—I—"
"Just so you could fuck me?"
Keith's jaw dropped.
What? What the hell is going on?
"Me?" The mayor shot back. "Me? You're the one who said you want to meet up, that you wanted to—"
"This was your fault! I didn’t want to fuck you—I never wanted to have sex with you. If you weren't the mayor, I wouldn’t even have come near you. And if my girls don't come back? I’m telling everyone that you raped me.”
"What? What are you saying? Kerry, please. I know this is stressful, I know it’s—"
"You don't know anything!" Kerry shrieked.
That was it; that was all Keith could handle.
He stumbled away from the door, needing to use the wall to support himself so that he didn't topple.
His vision suddenly started to tunnel, and he could hear the blood rushing in his ears like a tsunami.
His mind had become a jumbled mess. The mayor had somehow injected himself into images of Keith’s happy family. He was taking Keith’s spot, standing tall and proud in his white suit, laughing, his pot belly jiggling, the wattle beneath his chin quivering.
Just as Keith was about to slip to the floor, someone stepped in front of him.
"My God, Keith, are you okay?"
Keith grabbed the man’s arm for support and tried to stand up straight, but his stomach revolted, and he gagged.
"Keith? Shit. You okay?"
It was Detective Rainsford, Keith’s mind eventually registered. The man looked around frantically, but the hall was devoid of medical staff due to the shift changeover.
"We need some help here," the detective shouted. "Someone help!"
Keith tried again to straighten and this time managed.
"No," he croaked.
"Keith? What's wrong?" he heard his wife's voice call after them.
"He's—" Detective Rainsford began, but Keith gripped his arm tightly.
"No, just take me to her. Please, just take me to my daughter."
Chapter 22
Georgina licked her lips and stretched her arms over her head. She’d eaten enough for… well, for an entire family. Timothy Jalston might not be the greatest cook in the world, but when it came to cheesy pasta? He did a fine job.
"That was so good," she said with a tiny burp that turned into a giggle.
Brian looked at her and grinned.
"It was, wasn't it?" he concurred before turning to Tim and slapping him on the back. "You’re getting better, Tim. Still not as good as Mama used to be, but close."
Tim offered a small smile and a nod.
The man didn't say much; unlike Brian, he was reserved and quiet. In a lot of ways, the man reminded Georgina of Chase.
She shook her head to clear her thoughts.
"Sue-Ellen, do you mind helping clean up? You and Portia, maybe?"
Sue-Ellen nodded vigorously and both she and Portia rose from the table. Georgina started to do the same, but Brian shook his head.
"No, that's all right, sweetie. I have other plans for you. Let Sue-Ellen and Portia clean up; that’s their job."
Georgina nodded.
It felt weird having someone else take the dishes from the table while she just sat there. Back home, her mom and dad would always encourage her and Chase take out the dishes.
But you're not at home, Georgina, a tiny voice in the back of her head reminded her. You're here. You're here with Brian and Timothy and your sisters. No, these girls… not sisters.
An hour ago, thoughts like this one would spoil her mood, but not now. Not with her belly full of whatever ooey-gooey goodness Tim had just served them.
Brian placed both hands on the wooden table and rose to his feet.
"You know what? There's still some sunlight left and it's going to be a beautiful evening. How would you girls feel like going for a walk before bed?"
Melissa immediately turned to Georgina, eyes wide.
"You wanna? You wanna?"
The girl’s excitement surprised Georgina. Melissa was only a few years older than her, but she'd been here for longer. And she’d always seemed so mature, so much older than seven or eight years old. But now, grinning wildly, she suddenly seemed younger than Georgina.
Georgina turned to Brian. This was unusual. The entire day was unusual, but the prospect of going on a walk with only Melissa… unsupervised, no less… well, that was something else.
Something that would give her an opportunity…
"Oh, I wanna," she replied, her own lips parting in a smile. “I really wanna.”
***
"This way, Riley," Melissa said as she started, not toward the small stairs that led into the house, but in the opposite direction.
Toward Georgina’s cell.
Fearing that this was all a ruse and that she was going to be taken back to her cell, she resisted.
Melissa must've seen something in her face because she giggled and tugged on Georgina's arm.
"It's faster this way; there are other stairs at the end of the hall that will take us right out into the field. That way we don't have to go by Portia and Sue-Ellen… we don’t want to make them jealous while they're doing the dishes."
Georgina was still uncertain, but Melissa insisted and eventually she followed.
When they passed Georgina’s cell, the one with the rats, her heart fluttered in her chest.
"Come on, silly, it’s gonna be dark soon."
Georgina hurried to the end of the hall, which she realized was an intersection, with a wooden door on either side. Just as Melissa reached for th
e one on the left, Georgina felt a pang deep in her stomach. Melissa opened the door, and she tugged gently on Georgina’s hand.
Georgina took one step, but then the pain came back.
"Riley, what’s wrong? Are you okay?"
Georgina wanted nothing more than to go outside, to run as far away from this place as she could.
To find Chase, Chase who had left her here…
"I think—" she swallowed hard. "I think I ate too much. It was really good and—"
Her stomach lurched, and she brought a hand to her mouth.
She had to go to the bathroom. She had to go now.
Melissa picked up on the urgency of the matter and started to pull her back toward the cells. Georgina instinctively eyed the one that she’d spent most of her time in, but Melissa shook her head.
"No, don't go there. Go upstairs."
Georgina just stared at her for a moment, confused.
Melissa nodded.
"Trust me, just go upstairs and use that bathroom. It’s so much better than the bucket."
Georgina didn’t know if this was okay, if Brian would approve, but she also couldn’t wait any longer.
Without a word, she turned and bolted for the stairs.
Chapter 23
"Wh—wh—what are they doing to her?" Keith gasped.
He instinctively reached for the door handle, but Detective Rainsford grabbed his hand.
"They talked about this," the man said, his eyes soft and his expression flaccid. "Once they start, it's best if we don't interrupt. Remember, they said it might look bad, but it’s not hurting her."
"B—b—but—"
New tears started to flow down Keith's cheeks. He thought he was prepared for the treatment, but this… this was too much.
"My little girl," he sobbed. He placed a hand on the glass. "That's my little girl in there."
The scene inside the room looked to be taken straight out of a horror film. Chase was lying on the bed, sporting her white hospital gown. Her wrists and ankles were bound by large leather straps. She had a large black mouthpiece jammed between her lips, one so large that it stretched her face unnaturally. The two doctors—Dr. Stitts and Dr. Patterson—stood on either side of the bed. Dr. Stitts was leaning over Chase, his lips moving rapidly. Chase's eyes were locked on the man and her hair, slick with sweat, was pushed away from her pale face.
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