by Janie Marie
Thunder rattled the windows of the Chinese restaurant.
“You really shouldn’t have done that, Scarlet.” The face of the man her mother had been talking to at the restaurant became clear. Kevin’s unforgiving gaze lowered to Kylie. “I told you not to let her see me.”
Her mother covered her eyes. “She won’t remember. I’ll make sure.”
The memory faded, but another rushed forward to take its place.
Her dad removed the needle from her mom’s arm.
Kylie watched from where she stood in the doorway of her parents’ room. “Daddy?”
He jerked back, hiding the needle. “Mommy isn’t feeling well. I’m going to take her to the clinic. Go get dressed.”
Time sped forward, and she sat in her dad’s SUV, looking through the rainy window as her father situated her unconscious mother in the seat of her car, which was parked on the winding road near the Columbia River Gorge.
Kylie tried to make out what he was saying, but she smiled as he kissed her mother on the lips, then shut the door as her mom drove down the hill. They’d been fighting a lot; this was good.
The rain got heavier, the thunder a never-ending rumble, a growling beast.
Kylie dipped her cookie in milk as she watched her dad speaking to a police officer at their door. He covered his face and shook his head as the police officer patted his arm. He lied about when he’d last seen her mom. Kylie stayed quiet.
The rain fell straight down.
She hugged her wolf as her father held her hand. The people who stood around the coffin watched her, just her. She locked eyes with Kevin across the row of headstones. He stared at her for a long time before turning away and walking to a car.
The moon glowed bright, even if it was only half-full.
She peeked through the open the door. The room used to be her playroom, but her dad gave it to Maura.
“That’s it. That’s Daddy’s girl,” her father was saying while he jammed his finger into Maura’s mouth as she cried. He was moving Maura’s hand between his legs.
Kylie hugged her wolf, tears pricking her eyes as her dad’s face filled with something like happiness while he stared down at Maura. She didn’t know why a girl crying would make him happy, why he’d smile while also sounding and looking like he was in pain. Then he put something Kylie had never seen before in Maura’s mouth.
“Daddy’s girl likes his cum.”
Maura whimpered, opening her little mouth as something squirted into it.
Her dad groaned. “You’re Daddy’s favorite girl.”
Kylie gasped, watching her dad spin around. He tucked Maura in, smoothing her hair down before fixing his pants, then came toward Kylie while Maura cried and pulled blanket over her head.
“There’s Daddy’s girl.” Her dad squatted, lifting Kylie up. “Let’s put you to bed. I’ll tell you your favorite story. The one where Red Riding Hood gets eaten by the wolf.”
Kylie wrapped her arms around his neck as she locked eyes with Maura’s frightened pair peeking out from under the blanket. Kylie hated her. This was her daddy. She’d be his favorite girl. Not Maura.
Lightning streaked across the sky, then thunder shook the windows of her house.
“Kylie, please,” Maura cried, clutching her hand. “Mama, she saw him.”
Lorelei’s eyes filled with tears as she looked between both of them. “Kylie, is this true? Was he doing this to her?”
She breathed faster, darting her eyes around the room, then down to Maura. Maura had cried all night. She’d heard her through the walls, begging for her sister to save her. Daddy hadn’t done what he did with Maura to her. He only twirled her hair as he recited the story of Red Riding Hood taking off her hood and all her clothes so the Big Bad Wolf could feast on her as she smiled. It differed from the Little Red Riding Hood story Lorelei told her earlier that night. She had warned the wolf was not always what it seemed. Kylie didn’t think the wolf was so bad, though. She always liked the wolf. That’s how Daddy liked it. He said Red Riding Hood was beautiful, and she liked it when the wolf ate her.
“Kylie, darling.” Lorelei knelt, cupping her cheek. She was much nicer than Mommy. Mommy always said she was too mean to everyone. Lorelei was nice and pretty—like a princess. “This is very important. I need you to tell me what you saw,” Lorelei said, tears building in her green eyes.
Kylie stared at Maura. She didn’t understand what Daddy had done, but she knew it was bad. He’d get taken away. Daddy had told her that after he read her the story. He said Daddy’s game and story were only for her and Maura, and if she told anyone else, he’d get taken away. Would Lorelei get taken away too?
“I didn’t see anything,” Kylie finally answered Lorelei. “She said she wants you to leave Daddy. I don’t want you to leave me like Mommy did.”
Lorelei smiled sadly. “I won’t leave you.”
The rain fell sideways, stinging her bare arms.
“Children,” the teacher hollered, “come inside quickly.”
The kids screamed as lightning lit up the sky, and they all ran from the playground toward the teacher. Maura was so slow. She’d been walking funny ever since Kylie watched from the door as her dad took Maura’s panties off and put his daddy part between her legs.
He’d been ignoring Kylie ever since then—always buying Maura pretty things or taking her to the special doctor she had to go to.
Kylie scowled when James Dawson, the boy with pretty eyes, asked Maura if she was okay.
Maura nodded, pulling her red hoodie over her head.
James didn’t look convinced, and he reached for Maura’s hand, but Kylie slipped, falling behind them.
“Oh, Kylie, are you okay?” James rushed to her, lifting her up as Maura stared, rain sliding down her cheeks. Or were they tears?
Kylie produced her own tears. “My knee hurts.”
James glanced back at Maura as she hobbled away, but Kylie whined, and he returned his attention to her.
The wind blew Kylie’s hair around her face as she watched Maura sit under a tree.
“Your sister’s so weird,” Jessica said from beside Kylie. They were at the popular kids’ table. Of course, Kylie was there; everyone loved being around her.
“She’s my stepsister.”
James Dawson was sitting across from Kylie, and he turned, frowning. “Why’s she always limping?”
Everyone looked at Kylie.
She bristled at the attention they gave Maura. Ever since Maura started needing to wear a bra, the boys had been looking at her again.
“She hurts herself on purpose to get my dad’s attention.”
“Really?” Andrea laughed. “How weird.”
James kept watching Maura.
“Hey, James,” Kylie said, smiling to get him to focus on her. “She keeps a picture of you in her closet. She has candles and weird naked dolls all around it.”
“What?” He glared at the laughing kids. “No, she doesn’t.”
“What a freak,” someone said.
James gave Kylie the dirtiest look. “Stop making up lies about her.”
When the other kids stopped laughing, she lowered her eyes, unable to meet their stares.
The leaves fell from the trees. And her dad had been extra busy. And James hadn’t stopped staring at Maura.
“Daddy,” Kylie said, walking into his office. She pranced over to him before sitting on his lap.
“What is it?” He kept his eyes on his computer, not even glancing at her.
She didn’t know why everyone ignored her now. She was prettier than the other girls. “Daddy, there’s a boy I like, but he keeps staring at Maura.”
Her dad finally focused on her. “He looks at your sister?”
She fought the urge to scream that Maura wasn’t her sister. “His name is James.”
The moon was barely visible, just a sliver of glowing light.
Kylie peeked through the doorway as her dad stood over Maura, undoing his belt.
“You tell that boy to stop looking at you. No one sees my pretty girl but me.” He raised the belt over his head. “Roll over and pull down your panties.”
“Please, don’t,” Maura sobbed as she did what he told her.
Her dad grabbed her hair. “Say it.”
“I’m the prettiest girl of them all,” Maura cried. “Daddy’s pretty girl.”
He shoved her down, pushing his pants down. Kylie had gotten used to seeing his penis now. It fascinated her how much her dad liked putting it in Maura. He never did it with her, but she’d read all about them. It was supposed to feel good. She’d even seen the bad boy at her school getting his sucked by his girlfriend. He’d caught Kylie watching, and he’d winked before groaning and coming on the girl’s face as he told her he loved her. She wanted nothing more than to have a boy do that with her.
Maura’s eyes locked onto Kylie’s as she cried when her dad thrust it into her from behind.
Maura mouthed two words: ‘Help me.’
Kylie pulled the door shut.
Darkness. So much darkness.
“Why is Maura sick all the time?” James asked Kylie.
She glared at the table. She’d peeked into the bathroom the night before when Maura was puking and crying. Her dad had Maura on the bathroom floor with his hand between her legs while Maura cried about not having her period.
He smiled and told her he’d take care of it. Then he grabbed some liquid from the counter and squirted it between her legs, telling her how happy she made him when she was wet, and he groaned moving his hand faster between his and Maura’s thighs.
Kylie was tired of how happy Maura made him. She hated that her dad said sweet things to Maura when he stuck his penis in her. She knew now that it was sex. She just didn’t understand why he did it with Maura. Sex was when someone really loved you.
He made the strangest sounds, and Maura always cried—ungrateful for his love and attention. He never gave Kylie attention unless she brought up Maura’s name. She hated that the kids at school always asked about Maura.
“She makes herself throw up to get attention,” she blurted.
“Oh.” James scratched his head. “Maybe she should go to a clinic. My sister has bulimia. She used to cut herself with razors, too, and Mom and Dad put her in a hospital. She didn’t like all the attention, but she got better.”
Kylie stared at him as he kept frowning in Maura’s direction.
The lights flickered in the bathroom.
She wiped the tears from her cheek. She’d been making herself throw up for days, and no one did anything. She’d told her dad and he’d said she must have a stomach bug and then went to Maura’s room that night. Her dad had gifted Lorelei frequent trips to the spa so he always had the evenings alone with them. He just never spent them with Kylie. Not even when she got sick like she’d made herself for days.
The razorblade gleamed as the lights continued to flicker. “I’ll just do a little cut.” Kylie held the blade over her wrist where she’d gotten a scratch. Lorelei was home, so her dad wouldn’t have time for Maura. He’d have no choice but to pay attention. If she made a tiny cut, it would bleed again and look worse than it was.
Breath rushed out as she pressed down.
The door banged open. “Kylie, are you talking to yourse—” Lorelei’s words died. “Kylie!” She dropped down, tugging the blade away. “Oh, what are you doing?” She noticed the throw up in the toilet. “Oh, no.”
White. Just white.
“She’s displaying several personality disorders,” the doctor told her dad and Lorelei. “I recommend in-patient treatment to further evaluate her. We’ll have to put her on a suicide watch.”
Lorelei nodded. “She’s always very rough with Maura. The teachers continue to complain about her dominating behavior with the other students. I don’t know what else to do.”
Her dad hugged Lorelei. “You’re doing a great job. She was this way when her mother was alive, too. Let’s get her out of the house for a while. Maybe she needs to be away from everyone.”
“I think we should show her we’re supporting her,” Lorelei argued. “Maura’s doing better with her nightmares, but she’s so withdrawn. I can do better.”
“Perhaps the girls’ rivalry is too much,” the doctor said. “We’ll admit Kylie and see how things go.”
Kylie hid her smile as Maura trembled beside her.
Alone.
Kylie whined. She tried everything to get the hospital to call her dad. There were several male orderlies who should’ve given her attention, but they only strapped her down in her room. She just wanted a man to care about her and no one else.
The door opened, and in walked her father. At last. It had been a full two weeks since they had put her in this hell-hole. James had been right after all.
“There’s Daddy’s girl.” He turned off the lights. “It’s late. You should be asleep, naughty girl.”
“I can’t sleep, Daddy.” She tried moving, and her father’s eyes fell to the restraints.
“How about I tell you your favorite story?” He twirled her hair before smelling it. “You still smell sweet.”
He hadn’t bothered with her stories since she was a little girl.
“Yes, Daddy.” She tried to move. “Can you take these off me? I’m itching with this gown.”
“Oh, we wouldn’t want to upset the doctors. I’ll take care of the itch.” He smiled, leaning down, burying his nose in her hair the way she’d seen him do with Maura. “Oh, you’ve grown up so much.” He raised her gown above her breasts. “You’ve been such a naughty girl, haven’t you? Not like your sweet sister.”
She wanted his attention, but she was scared now. He wasn’t saying he loved her like he did Maura either. She wasn’t bad.
He stared at her nipples, gliding his tongue over his teeth as the pupils in his eyes grew into big, black pools. “Do you itch there?”
“No.” She whimpered. It didn’t feel right.
He sighed, sniffing her hair as he moved his hand down between her legs. “How about here?”
“Oh my God!” Lorelei’s voice startled him before he could touch her.
She was standing in the doorway, clutching Maura’s hand. Maura had her wolf plush, and it fell to the floor.
“Get away from her!” Lorelei pulled a gun from her purse, aiming it at her dad. “Get back.”
“Lor, you’re overreacting.” He stood, holding his hands in surrender.
“Maura, undo Kylie and hide her with your hoodie. She can’t be seen.” Lorelei cried, her hands shaking around the gun still aimed at her father. “You monster! I’ll kill you for this.”
Light. Just light.
Kylie could feel the sun’s heat on her face.
Lorelei cried as she opened the car door. They’d been driving all night. “Here, girls. Eat this.”
Kylie frowned at the yogurt and banana. “I want Chef’s food.”
Lorelei sighed, brushing away her tears. “Darling, we’re not home. Chef can’t make you food. You should be used to this by now.”
“But I ate at home last night.” Kylie frowned. What was Lorelei talking about?
Maura stared at her, confused.
Lorelei leaned away. “What?”
Kylie looked down at the red hoodie she wore.
“Kylie.” Lorelei touched her cheek. “Do you remember going to the hospital?”
“Hospital?”
“It’s been two weeks since we were there.” Lorelei covered her mouth, whispering, “You blocked it all out.”
“Blocked what?”
Night. The moon was hidden behind clouds.
Kylie lifted her head. She’d couldn’t remember anything about the hospital Lorelei talked about. When she tried to remember, to even think about her dad, her head hurt. So she stopped trying and the pain went away.
“Shh . . .” Maura moved beside her.
“Where are we?” Kylie looked out the window. There were tree
s all around. Lorelei stood in front of a black truck, talking to a man in black. Kevin.
He reached out for Lorelei’s hair, pushing a strand behind her ear.
Lorelei seemed to cry as she reached for the button on her dress.
Maura whimpered. “Kylie, close your eyes. You can’t see.”
Darkness. Always in the dark.
Lorelei stood in the bathroom, tears streaming down her cheeks as she looked at her and Maura. Kevin was there, watching from the shadows.
“She won’t remember,” Lorelei whispered. “I promise.”
“Girl,” Kevin said, “what did you do yesterday?”
Kylie didn’t like the way this man made her feel, but she had to answer. “I was at school. I—” She looked at Maura, frowning. She remembered shoving Maura into the locker, but she wouldn’t admit that. They’d find out she always hit Maura and broke her things. “I can’t remember.”
Lorelei whispered to Kevin, “She hasn’t been at school in over a month. I told you, she’s forgotten everything that’s happened since she’s gone there. Everything bad about him, she’s pushed it away.”
“You know what I want,” he said, moving from the shadows. “If she remembers, you know the price.”
Lorelei nodded. “Yes, I know.”
Flowers and dirt.
Kylie wiped her tears away.
“How can you cry?” Maura asked. “He deserved to die.”
She balled her fist before letting it fly at Maura’s face. “He was my dad!”
Maura covered her cheek, her eyes brimming with tears. “I’m telling Mama. She’ll believe me now.”
“Go ahead!” Kylie spat.
School bells.
“Where did you go?” James asked as they watched Jacob Grayson approach Maura at lunch. “Before your dad died, I mean. Maura said you were sick.”