Chapter 2

2

Arthur chimed in, "You can't really compare them. Sierra goes into the city with me all the time. she's seen the world. It's natural she's more mature. Once Rainey starts working, she'll grow up too. Right, Rainey?"

To hell with you!

I gripped the basin of water, debating whether to throw it at these three shameless monsters.

But I needed answers first. I told myself to stay calm. A small mistake would ruin everything. I needed to endure a little longer.

I forced a fake smile. "You're right, Arthur. Once I start working, I'll send all my money home. I'll take good care of you and Mom."

Arthur and Sierra didn't even hide their contempt. Only my mother laughed like a fool.

Then, I asked casually, "Arthur, it's a shame Mom burned my letter. Sierra probably won't be able to get in now."

"That's not a problem. I have..." Beatrice started to say, holding up a thick envelope. Arthur quickly cut her off. He smiled smoothly. "Don't worry about that. I know people. It's already handled."

"Really? That's great!" I said dismissively. My eyes stayed glued to that envelope. Then I went back to cooking dinner.

In my nightmare, I was sold shortly after the letter was burned. I never knew how they managed the identity theft.

But looking at my mother's face, I knew all the necessary documents were in that envelope.

That was why I suggested the swap.

I didn't know how to fix this yet. But now that it involved Sierra, Arthur would do all the dirty work. He was a teacher at the local middle school. He had the connections.

He had managed to get everything ready in just one afternoon.

I just needed to steal that envelope and run. Once I was gone, I would be free.

But they would be on guard. I couldn't rush it.

According to my memories, the men from the mountains would arrive in nine days. They would stay in our house. Then I would be drugged, taken away, and tortured until I died.

I didn't have much time.

After dinner, Sierra sprawled on the couch to play games. Arthur wiped his mouth and headed to the local bar to play cards.

My mother went to make some iced tea for Sierra. Before leaving the room, she barked at me, "Stop eating! Clean the dishes and go cut some grass for the hogs. It's almost dark. Don't be lazy like your deadbeat father."

Sierra lost a round in her game and screamed, "Shut up! I'm trying to play! You're so loud!"

My mother immediately apologized to her. She gave me one last glare before walking out.

I smiled coldly. She was destroying her own daughter for someone else's child. I wondered how she would feel when the karma finally hit her.

It was July. The sun was brutal during the day, so the evening breeze was the only relief.

A few neighbors were sitting under the old oak tree near the road. They saw me carrying my basket and called out. "Rainey, it's almost dark. Where are you going?"

"My mom wants me to get more feed for the hogs."

"This late? The trails are dangerous at night. It can wait until tomorrow."

I just smiled and kept walking toward the hills.

I could hear them whispering behind my back.

"Poor girl. You know how it is in that house. With a mother like that, what choice does she have?"

"Beatrice Linden is a piece of work. She treats her own daughter like trash just to suck up to the Sterlings. It's pathetic."

"Tell me about it. If Rainey's father were still alive, he'd never let her suffer like this. Look at her. She's skin and bones. She's wearing Sierra's hand-me-downs. It's a sin!"

"Keep it down. If Beatrice hears you, she'll start a riot at your front door."

"I'm not afraid of her! Let her try. Rainey's father was fine one day, then he's dead the next, bleeding from his nose and mouth in his sleep. Everyone knows something was fishy about that. Beatrice isn't as innocent as she looks."

I had walked about ten yards away, but those words stopped me cold. I turned back and looked at Mrs. Gable. "Mrs. Gable, what did you just say about how my dad died?"