Keeping Hope (Broken Girl Series) (7 page)

“I searched every mile of that goddamn state looking for my daughter.” His fists are balled and he hits the top of the bar, making the three of us jump.

“I never fucking found her. Left it in the hands of the fucking Feds who did jack shit to find her. By the time I started my search, it was too late. There was no sign of her anywhere. Time is of the essence, my man. Trust me, I speak from experience.”

I point to his knuckles. “Your daughter’s Sara?”

He nods slowly in response.

Kennedy

Today I finally received something to drink and eat. My lips are so dry they have started to crack. It hurts as I try and carefully sip from the glass tumbler. My hands shake from fatigue. I try to keep the cup steady, but I can’t. My cut is starting to heal, but is still incredibly sore where my tooth impaled my lip.

I wolf down the food, still hungry when I’ve finished.

This is the first meal I’ve had since arriving. I also haven’t seen anyone since my last encounter with Christopher, the food was left by someone who stood in the shadows.

However, I have spoken to Hope several times each day. She’s such a sweet, innocent girl. I don’t know what I can do to help her. There’s no winning in her situation. I know because I’ve been there. If you conform the outcome is horrendous. If you fight back it can be even worse. There’s no way I can tell a little girl to accept whatever sick shit he wants to do to her, but advising her to fight back will only make things worse.

I have no answers.

I have no advice.

I only have the memories.

I’m isolated in this room. There is barely any light. I have no way of washing. I have to go to the bathroom in a god damn bucket which causes the room to stink vile. I need to think of some way out of here, but it isn’t going to be easy.

I lay on the bed until I hear the familiar, gentle taps on the wall. I jump up with anticipation, leaning against the wall.

“Hi, Hope,” I whisper.

“Hey,” she replies. Her simple comment is unusual. Normally she has a lot more to say for herself.

“Are you okay?” I ask, wondering what is causing her to be so quiet.

“I’m scared,” she whimpers.

“Me too, Hope, but we have to stay strong. Okay, sweetie?”

“I guess,” she replies unconvincingly.

“I’ve just had something to eat. Have you eaten?” I need to get her to talk.

“I couldn’t eat it all. Master shouted at me.”

I throw my hand over my mouth as a small gasp escapes. He had her calling him Master. I swallow down hard, trying to expel the bile that rises. He’s grooming her. I know this from experience.

“He’s told you to call him Master?” I question.

“Yes, he’s told me I have to. He says it’s because I’m special. He says all these nice things to me, but I know he just wants to hurt me. I can tell. I don’t want him to hurt me. I don’t want to be here. I miss my mommy,” she sobs.

I need to find out more about Hope. Where she came from. How she got here. Knowing that about Hope might help fill the blanks from my own childhood. I have no memory of my parents.

Christopher always told me I was an orphan and my parents died when I was just a baby. I have no idea who they were or where they came from. But Hope knows who her mom is.

“Do you remember where you lived before you came here? Or who you lived with?” I question with a soft tone to my voice.

“I lived with my mommy, but she was hardly ever at home. When she was, she always had a lot of people coming in and out. She used to shout at me a lot, but I knew she didn’t mean it. She would always say she was sorry.” I hear her gentle sobs through the wall.

“I know this is really hard for you, Hope, but remember what we said about Christopher? He can’t know about our little chats. You know he will be very angry with both of us if he finds out, so we need to try and stay quiet. Okay, sweetie?”

“I’m sorry,” she sniffles.

“Don’t apologize, Hope. I’m just trying to make sure neither of us gets into any more trouble, okay?”

“Okay,” she murmurs in agreement.

“Do you know what happened to your mommy?”

“She went and never came back. That’s when one of my mommy’s friends brought me here. He said they would look after me and I would like it here, but I don’t like it here. I mean I like you, Kennedy, but everyone else is mean to me.”

“That’s why we need to stick together. We need to get out of here, but we have to be very careful about it. Do you know where Christopher keeps the keys to my door, Hope?”

“I’m not sure. I sometimes see them on the nightstand when he sleeps at night.”

I contemplate the information, wondering how I can use this as a way of escaping. Involving Hope would be risky if the plan didn’t work.

Cole

We sit, mesmerized in horror as Chuck relives the story of his search for Sara. We are completely silent as he tells us how he gave up and turned to the biker life, trying to escape the pain of never finding his daughter. It’s odd how the tragedy of these circumstances can bring people together. Never did I expect to be sitting here, discussing my situation with the scariest looking dude I have ever seen, but that’s exactly where I find myself.

“If you guys want any help trying to find your girlfriend just say the word. Me and my boys will be more than happy to go on the search with you.”

My eyes widen spontaneously at his suggestion.

“I’m serious, Cole. If you don’t try you may never find her. Please don’t live every day with the regret of never trying,” he speaks out solemnly.

“You couldn’t have done anymore to try and find your daughter,” I reassure.

“I was too late, boy. I left it too late. It’s my biggest regret! I lost everything; my family, my friends, my job. Don’t let her go without a fight! That’s all I’m saying.”

I look to my right, catching Pete’s eye. “What you reckon, man?” I ask him seriously.

“I’m up for it if you are. Only one problem though, your truck is fucked, isn’t it?” he quizzes.

I hear the deep rumble of laughter from behind me. “No fucking way are we going in any god damn truck, you lunatics. The only way to travel is on a bike,” shouts Chuck.

I look at Pete, confused.

“You ride with us. No arguments,” he gruffs. I wasn’t really in a position to argue with him.

“Count me out,” calls Ash. “I’ve had enough nightmare road trips to last me a lifetime!”

“I don’t really think it’s your sort of thing anyway.” Chuck laughs, raising his eyebrows at Ash.

Ash jumps down from his stool, mincing his way in a huff toward the bathroom.

We let out a little laugh before Chuck calls over the three guys sitting in the corner, introducing us to them.

Fuck, I’ve never seen anything quite like it. Each one is over six-foot-tall, covered in tattoos and scars. As we are introduced to them, I see there’s a guy similar in age to Chuck. I would say in his late forties and the two others are a little younger. Maybe in their mid-thirties?

We sit with them for hours drinking and discussing our plans for the road trip. I explain to Chuck exactly where we were when we got run off the road. We study the road map intently. He seems to understand exactly where I’m talking about and suggests places to check out in that area.

I have to say, these guys are growing on me. They may look scary as fuck, but they’re committed to helping me find Ken.

We plan to meet back outside Joey’s tomorrow morning.

This is it.

I’m keeping hope that we will find her!

We have to find her.

I can’t live my life without the girl who has stolen my heart.

Kennedy

I haven’t seen or spoken to anyone since yesterday evening when I was last brought food.

The endless darkness in the room is hurting my eyes. I have one hell of a headache. I know this is Christopher’s way of trying to break me, but it won’t work. Keeping me isolated and half-starved is his way of trying to control me, both physically and mentally.

I won’t let him.

I’m stronger than that.

I have to be for my baby.

I have been trying to nap all day, but I am constantly disrupted by noises inside the house. I try and remain focused. I will find a way out.

I lay here, remembering Cole’s touch and it sends a shudder down my spine. I would give anything to feel his breath on my skin or to be wrapped in his loving embrace again. The thoughts of Cole and our future keeps me going.

The small amount of light that shines through the covered window begins to fade, alerting me to the approximate time of day. That sliver of light and the noises within the house are the only indicator I have of the time. I’m familiar with the times they pray as the chants echo through the old house.

There has been no water or food all day, and the stench of the bucket in the corner is becoming unbearable.

As the time passes, it’s obvious I won’t be fed again today. The sounds in the house begin to quiet as night draws in. All I can do is lie here and preserve as much energy as possible. My legs feel weak and my hands tremor. I need more food.

With my body unable to keep going, I doze in and out of sleep until I hear the small finger tapping against the wall. It takes me longer than normal to get on my knees against the wall. My energy is low, my body almost lifeless.

The sweet voice whispers, “Kennedy?”

“I’m here, sweetie,” I answer.

“I’m going to bed now. I just wanted to say goodnight.”

“Good night, Hope. Sweet dreams, sweetheart,” I croak. My throat is sore from lack of use and fluids.

“Are you okay, Kennedy? Your voice sounds funny,” she quips.

“I’m just tired and hungry, Hope. Nothing for you to worry yourself over,” I offer back.

“Did they not bring you food today?” she quizzes softly.

“Not today, angel.”

“Let me go get you something.” Her voice tails off and before I have a chance to say something, she’s gone. I hear the bedroom door open and close.

Shit, I don’t want this little girl getting into trouble for me. I move over and sit on the side of the bed, biting my nails anxiously, waiting for some sound or inclination that she has returned. The next few minutes feel like hours and I jump at the sound of the key in the lock.

I wait to see who will enter, fearing that Hope got into trouble. As the door slowly opens, my eyes blink rapidly, trying to adjust to the light flooding the room.

I see the little girl struggling with a plate full of food and a drink.

Every part of me comes to a dead stop.

I’m confused. Really confused.

“How… How, what…How did you get in here?” I ask as she stands there with the door open, hands shaking due to the heavy plate.

“Here, let me take that,” I offer.

“Gee, thanks. I feel like my arm is going to fall off,” she giggles, shaking her arms from side to side.

“We need to be quick. Master is sleeping downstairs. I need to get the key back before he realizes it’s missing,” she states matter of fact.

She pinches her nose and scrunches her face tightly with disgust. “What is that bad smell?” she quizzes.

I point sadly to the bucket in the corner.

“It smells bad in here.” She starts wafting her hand dramatically. “Now, eat,” she prompts, pointing to the plate I’m holding

My hands shake as I place the food on the end of the bed. I kneel in front of Hope, pulling her in for a hug. “Thank you so much, Hope. This was very kind of you.”

I hear the sudden sound of footsteps and stop. I’m pretty sure even my heart skipped a few beats. I look up and the presence of evil interrupts us.

“Well, isn’t this cozy?”

Goose bumps cover my body as we freeze on the spot. I pull back, releasing my hold on Hope. She takes small steps backward, leaning her back against the door at the sight of Christopher standing in the doorway. I shuffle back as he starts to take small steps toward me.