Every Step You Take: A Psychological Thriller

by Avery Lane

  Like Margaret and Teddy did with Gabriel.

  But Gabriel wasn’t resentful like Sierra was. Gabriel and his brothers turned out fine.

  And Riley was still pretty sure she would’ve flourished with that sort of freedom just as well.

  “They thought they knew everything…” Sierra continued. “They let me drink, hang out with older kids. And then they were so shocked when I ended up pregnant. Like it was my fault. Like they hadn’t put me in that position.”

  Riley suddenly remembered the pregnancy test.

  She looked down.

  Negative.

  It was negative.

  She didn’t know what this meant for her. She didn’t know what to tell Sierra. She wanted to let Sierra ramble on about her childhood because…because she was pretty sure she’d be forced to have sex with Brighton if she told Sierra it was negative.

  And there was no way her child belonged in this world. There was no way Riley would let that happen.

  “That sounds awful,” Riley said. She sounded genuine, because she was. Riley remembered what she was like at fifteen. She was still a child. And Sierra dealt with a pregnancy at that age? Riley couldn’t imagine it. “That must’ve been really hard.”

  Riley gripped the pregnancy test in her fist. She remembered something.

  This wasn’t the first time Riley had taken a pregnancy test.

  The first time she did was with Mindy.

  Mindy was the one who thought she was pregnant. Riley, at the time, hadn’t even had sex yet. But Mindy didn’t want to take the test alone and so in a silly attempt at solidarity, Riley offered to do it with her.

  They both sat in front of their pregnancy tests, waiting for the results.

  Mindy’s was negative. She rejoiced.

  Riley left hers alone, sitting on the sink while they happily downed a box of doughnuts to celebrate.

  When Riley returned to the bathroom to wash the powdered sugar off her hands, she noticed that her pregnancy test read positive. She knew she wasn’t pregnant. She hadn’t done what she needed to do to get pregnant.

  Which is how she learned that leaving any pregnancy test around for that long meant it would eventually show a positive sign.

  She had to keep Sierra talking.

  “How’d you pick your new name?” Riley asked.

  Sierra was quiet, as if she was considering if she wanted to share the story. She looked over her shoulder at Riley. Her eyes were shiny.

  “The way I picked yours,” Sierra replied. “I bought a book. At a drug store. And I chose something I thought was pretty. I was really excited about it. Riley. When I left home, I took the book with me. One of the only things I took with me. I knew I’d need a new name if I didn’t want them to find me. It took me forever to settle on something, but then…I saw The Little Mermaid.” She laughed at herself. “Vanessa looked like Ariel with dark hair. My hair was red. I liked the dark hair. So I dyed it black. And that night when I flipped through the baby name book, I noticed the name Sierra. Which meant dark. Like my new hair. I liked that.”

  Her reasoning was so childlike, exactly the way Riley envisioned a teenager’s thought process in such a situation. Sierra was stunted. It was no wonder she tried to turn back the clock.

  “Why’d you change your age?” Riley asked. Sierra turned completely towards her now, leaning against the doorframe.

  “Because I could,” Sierra replied. “I looked young. I knew that because I was constantly being hit on by much younger guys and getting carded still. So I went with it. Even better, I thought. I’d buy myself ten years. Over time, I started to believe I was the age I said I was. Until Brighton and I tried to conceive. And I was told that thirty-five was ‘geriatric.’ I remembered my own secret then. That even if I looked the part on the outside, I was no longer that way on the inside. And even my fake age was too old to have kids now.”

  Riley took a discreet peek at the pregnancy test. The negative sign was slowly being joined by a perpendicular line. It was working. The extra time elapsed was giving a false positive. She just needed a little while more.

  “You have a kid though,” Riley said, her voice shaking. She was about to embark on something risky. “I’m your daughter. Just because you couldn’t be my mother on the outside, you were always, by blood, by genetics, by every definition – you’re my mother. You always were.”

  “But I wasn’t there for you,” Sierra replied. “I’m a hypocrite.”

  “You did what you needed to do, like you said,” Riley insisted. “You did the right thing. It just didn’t turn out like you hoped. And now that everything’s out, now that there are no more secrets, we can do this right. Like you said. Look.” She held the pregnancy test out to Sierra. It read positive now. A big fat plus sign. Clear as day.

  Sierra took the test from her, staring at the plus sign with wide, hopeful eyes.

  “Oh my God,” she whispered.

  “Should we tell Brighton?” Riley asked.

  “He’s in the middle of something right now…” Sierra replied. Riley’s stomach lurched.

  “Wh – what is he doing?” Riley swallowed hard, hoping to God Judy was still alive.

  “He’s just…I don’t know,” Sierra said, still looking at the pregnancy stick in awe. Through the crack of the door, Riley could see the glint of something. There was a scraping noise. She was pretty sure Brighton was sharpening a knife.

  “What’s he doing?” Riley insisted on knowing. She had to. She had a right to know now, right? Now that she was carrying their child?

  “Don’t worry about it,” Sierra said. She was smiling now. A real, genuine smile. “Let’s get you out of that rope.” Sierra grabbed a hold of Riley by the waist, lifting her up off the ground and dragging her out to Brighton.

  Sierra set Riley down on a stool by Brighton’s metal task table. She grabbed a box-cutter, switching it open and cutting at the rope around Riley’s ankles, gently.

  The movement distracted Brighton. He turned around, and it was then that Riley saw for sure that he was sharpening a knife. Her heart stopped.

  Brighton’s eyes looked weary. His good looks were suffering under the weight of their circumstances. He looked at Riley, apologetically. His broad shoulders were slumped, defeated. He was a cog in all this. Just a cog. He was too weak to break away.

  “Riley has some news to share,” Sierra said. She sounded chipper, like she was referring to a six-year-old who had just lost her first tooth. “Right, Riley?”

  “Um, yeah,” she replied.

  “Go ahead. Tell him.”

  Riley looked up at Brighton. He raised a tired eyebrow, remaining quiet.

  “I’m pregnant,” she replied.

  The statement woke Brighton up.

  He looked horrified. But it only lasted a second before Sierra was standing again, facing him. The horror was quickly replaced by a big, fake smile.

  “Oh my God!” he exclaimed, sounding almost convincing. He hugged Sierra tight. Brighton looked up at Riley, his eyes back to fear. I’m sorry, he mouthed to her.

  “We’re going to be parents,” Sierra cried. “Finally.”

  For all her talk about doing things right, Sierra was sure getting off on a weird start. Riley didn’t know what she could do next or what this meant for her life. Was the wedding still happening? Would she have to fake her way through that event?

  Could she maybe leverage her “pregnancy” now to save Judy’s life?

  42

  “We should celebrate, right?” Riley asked.

  Brighton was still holding Sierra, watching Riley’s expression over her shoulder. He narrowed his eyes at her, trying to figure out what was going on – what she was thinking. Sierra let go of him, rushing towards a shelf full of miscellaneous tools and knick-knacks.

  When she turned around, she was holding a Polaroid camera.

  “This was one of the other things I took with me from home,” Sierra explained.

  “And the bracelet too
?” Riley asked.

  “No,” Sierra scoffed. “That was in the pocket of my jeans that I threw in the river. I can’t believe they managed to hold onto it. Judy actually brought it today thinking we were going to have some wonderful reunion.”

  Riley felt her heart break for Judy. She had no idea of the trap that awaited for her.

  “Did you send me that message?” Riley asked. “That Polaroid under my door saying that we’re never really alone?”

  Sierra looked up at Riley.

  “Of course,” she replied, as if it were perfectly normal. “I wanted you to know that I’ll always be with you.” Riley almost wanted to laugh. That’s how she meant it? If she needed further confirmation that Sierra was bat shit insane, this was it.

  “And the flowers?” Riley looked at her, wide-eyed.

  “The what?” Sierra muttered, her focus on setting up the camera. Okay, I guess that was Evan, Riley thought, shaking her head. And this whole time Riley thought she was being terrorized by just one person. She should’ve known that was too much effort for any single individual, no matter how crazy they were. “Okay. Smile for the camera, sweetie.” She held the camera up, looking through the viewfinder to see what Riley knew was a totally confused expression on her face.

  “Why are you taking a picture?” she asked.

  “We’re celebrating,” Sierra said, matter-of-factly. “So we should remember this day.” Why on earth would you want to remember this day? Riley thought, incredulous. But she fought her urge to say it. There was no sense in reasoning with crazy people. Besides, Sierra probably thought that just the conception of their collective child was actually worth commemorating.

  She looked into the viewfinder again, but didn’t snap the picture. Instead, she lowered the camera, frowning, looking at Riley and then Brighton before shrugging her shoulders.

  “This doesn’t look like a celebration,” Sierra said. Oh, you think?! Riley thought. This probably looked every bit the hostage situation it was. “What do you think could help?” Brighton looked over at Riley, his eyes pleading for answers. But she had nothing. She had hoped he did.

  “Cake, maybe?” Riley finally said.

  “Yes! Of course. What kind of cake?” Sierra asked, nodding at the suggestion. “Anything you want, I’ll get it for you. Any flavor. Oh, this is going to be incredible. I can make it all up to you now! I can finally give you everything I couldn’t give you back then.”

  Riley wondered if she could just cut to the chase. If she could just ask Sierra to let Judy go. But something told her to proceed carefully.

  “Um, do you know where my phone is?” Riley asked. She could definitely use her phone. She could text Gabriel. “We can order some delivery. From my favorite bakery. This place on Smith, I don’t know if you’ve tried it…”

  “I can order for us,” Sierra said. “Just tell me what you want.” Nope, that didn’t work.

  “Or why don’t we just go out?” Brighton suggested. “That’d be nice, right? I mean, this is our workplace. Who celebrates at work?”

  Sierra was quiet. Riley wondered what was going through her head. Did she suspect something was going on? Could she detect the disingenuous nature of Riley’s request? Was she suspicious of all the words Brighton had just blurted out?

  “Do you want to go out, Riley?” Sierra asked.

  Riley didn’t know.

  Was it safer to go out? Safer to stay?

  Definitely safer to go out, right?

  But it would only be safer for Riley. She could flag down a stranger to help her, but she couldn’t ensure that Judy would be okay alone in that dark room. She had been drugged. She was cold. Dehydrated. Who knows how she’d fare in there?

  Riley needed to tell Gabriel. She needed someone to know where Judy was so that they could help her.

  But how?

  There was a loud rap at the door.

  Riley gasped, unable to hide her nerves. The sound had shaken her thoroughly. Sierra didn’t look surprised. She was expecting someone.

  She walked over, unlatching the giant padlock and sliding open the metal door.

  Paul walked in.

  “Give me a second,” Sierra said. “I haven’t actually had a chance to write it out yet.”

  Paul eyed Riley from across the room, looking a little confused.

  “What was the balance?” Riley asked, hunched over her checkbook.

  “Uh, here,” Paul took a folded piece of paper out of his trench coat, handing it to Sierra.

  He seemed to sense that something was amiss. Maybe because he had realized that Riley shouldn’t be there. Not when she had just called earlier, suspicious of the person who had hired Paul.

  Riley hoped to God he was smart enough to put two and two together. And if he was smart enough, Riley hoped he was a better person than he initially appeared. Maybe he would do the right thing now. Maybe he’d call the police. Something. Anything.

  But he didn’t. Paul took the check. Paul left.

  And that was that.

  “So? Riley? What do you think?” Sierra asked.

  Riley stood stunned, not knowing what to say. She had just watched her chance to escape walk out the door.

  “Um, let’s go out,” she blurted out. “That sounds nice.”

  “Brighton, you want to stay behind?” Sierra asked.

  “Why?” he asked.

  “To handle anything that might need to be handled,” she said, her voice cold.

  “I think – I think we can probably leave for a bit and be fine,” Brighton replied. He probably knew what he would be expected to do while they were away. He was probably too weak-willed to just let Judy go by himself. Or maybe he needed more time with Riley so he could understand how to help.

  “What’s the sense of celebrating without the father?” Riley laughed nervously. The question proved to be a fatal error. Suddenly, Sierra knew something was up.

  “Let’s just order something,” Sierra said, definitively. Riley tried not to show her disappointment.

  “Sure, that sounds good,” Riley replied, trying to remain unsuspicious. Sierra was eyeing her now, as if trying to figure out if this act was for real. Riley couldn’t blame her. She was a terrible actress. She always had been.

  She felt faint now.

  This was a disaster.

  It was a disaster on its own but Riley having no clue how to handle it, Brighton being too meek to do anything, Sierra being as sharp as she was – this made it an utter and complete disaster.

  Her vision began to cloud.

  She fanned herself, blinking, willing herself not to pass out.

  “Riley?” Sierra said. Her voice was concerned now. She knew this wasn’t fake.

  “I…” Riley climbed down from the stool. “I feel a little…” She steadied herself on the task table. Oh God, she thought. What wonderful timing.

  Riley tipped her head forward, leaning her forehead against her folded arms. She could feel Sierra stroking her hair, stroking her back. She seemed gentle now. Sweet.

  “The first trimester was rough on me,” Sierra said. “We might have to expect the same for you.”

  Riley could feel the blood rushing back to her head. She opened her eyes. The metal of the task table came into clear focus. She didn’t feel faint anymore.

  But she wasn’t about to say anything.

  Not when she managed to get Sierra in this position.

  Riley let her knees buckle, crumpling to the ground.

  “Riley!” Sierra yelled, cradling Riley’s head on her lap. “Riley? Can you hear me?”

  Yeah, you’re screaming in my ear, Riley thought. But she remained still.

  She wasn’t sure where this was going to get her, but it was going to buy her time. Sierra wanted to protect her assets. The unborn child she thought actually existed.

  “Brighton, will you take her to the couch?” Sierra asked. Her voice was soft and submissive now. Riley could tell it wasn’t to manipulate Brighton. She was actually worr
ied. A pang of sadness struck Riley’s heart, despite herself.

  “The couch?” Brighton asked. “You mean the one in the room…”

  “That’s the only one, isn’t it?” Sierra’s voice was biting again, icy. Riley almost shivered under the sudden callousness. Poor Brighton.

  “Okay,” Brighton said.

  Riley could feel him scoop her into his arms. She tried to remain limp and convincing. But it was hard when her mind was racing. What was her next step? She hadn’t even thought it out. Once she was in the room with Judy, what would she do? Throw herself over her? Beg? What good could she do in that room?

  Brighton walked her over. She could hear the doorknob turn.

  There was a rush of wind where there wasn’t before.

  Riley heard Brighton grunt as he fell backwards. Riley tumbled down with him.

  She opened her eyes, pushing herself up to see Gabriel standing in the doorway of the room where Judy had been.

  How on earth…?

  Gabriel grabbed Brighton by the collar, throwing another fist into his face. The fall had knocked the wind out of her. She wanted to tell Gabriel to stop, that Brighton wasn’t the real threat.

  But then Brighton gained his bearings. Though he wasn’t as big as Gabriel, he apparently made a decent match. Gabriel was somehow on the floor now, Brighton pinning him down by the chest.

  They tumbled, several times, back and forth – each gaining the upper hand just seconds after the one before.

  Then finally, Gabriel got Brighton down for just a bit longer. Riley could see Gabriel had him by the throat.

  “Gabriel, no!” she exclaimed. He could kill Brighton. Easily. Riley knew this.

  Her cry served as exactly the distraction that would make Gabriel lose the fight completely. He looked up in Riley’s direction, distracted for just long enough that Sierra was able to plunge the freshly sharpened knife into his shoulder.

  “No!” Riley shot to her feet, darting towards Gabriel. Sierra had just done to him what she had planned on doing to Judy. Riley threw her tiny body over Gabriel’s back.

  Just in time to receive the second swing of the knife.

  The knife was so sharp, it cut through Riley’s arm like she was air – like, she was nothing at all. She could feel Sierra catch herself, hesitate just enough so that the knife didn’t go all the way through. But her reflexes weren’t enough.