I looked across the table, watching Cris grip his coffee cup as he took a long sip, not making eye contact with Rosie as she spoke. Was it possible there was something sinister lurking beneath his socially awkward exterior? Or was he an innocent bystander getting roped into something he knew nothing about? I hadn’t realized I was still staring at him until his eyes darted up, making me jump as they locked briefly with mine. I quickly looked away, taking a sip from the steaming cup in front of me. I thought I could feel his stare burning into me but when I looked back he was talking to Rosie as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened at all.

VICTIMS 12 & 13

Anna Morgan & Mary Klein

2002

CHAPTER 16

Anna threw down the empty Cinna-Crunch Pebbles cereal box. All this pre-packaged food left a bad taste in her mouth and sat in her stomach like a solid ball of artificial colors and flavors. She’d been having vivid dreams about her mom’s herbed roasted chicken and buttery mashed potatoes. Tears stung the corners of her eyes. She was getting sick of crackers and chips, beef jerky and granola; the alternating boredom and fear. She let out a deep breath and leaned back against the wall, looking over at Mary who was still sleeping. Anna tucked her bangs behind her ear, the bright red streaks she’d dyed into them now only tinging the tips. She had woken up just as the sun was rising outside their small window and couldn’t get back to sleep. Pulling the metal barrette from her pocket, she rubbed her fingers against its cool surface. She’d taken it out of her hair when they were in the trunk of his car and quickly hidden it for safe keeping under the stack of towels in the corner of their room. She’d tried using it to pick the lock on her shackles but it was no use since the clasp was too big to fit into the keyhole. She scooted to the corner and continued scratching words into the wall with its edge. The front door to the cabin squeaked open, causing her to jump.

‘Mare! Mare wake up, he’s back.’ Mary slowly rose from her mattress and rubbed her eyes. ‘Hurry. You need to wash your face and brush your teeth before he comes in.’

Mary quickly shuffled to the sink, frantically scrubbing and brushing before settling back on her mattress, water dripping down her collar in her haste. Anna heard the man outside the door, moving things around. Their bodies stiffened at the sound of the lock clicking as he turned the key. The door opened and he stood in the doorway looking at them.

‘Are you clean?’

Anna replied, ‘Yes, we’ve washed every day like you said.’

‘What did I tell you to call me?’ he said, a steel edge to his voice.