Chapter 2

2

But I kept telling her not to go with the kidnapper! She just yelled that I was trying to steal her candy apple!

She walked right into it and then blamed me for being a bystander.

After we switched back, she cried in Mom and Dad's arms, saying I was the reason she got kidnapped.

Mom and Dad didn't believe her at first, until she guided them to the diary under my pillow.

It said: "Actually, I saw the kidnapper take my sister. But I told Mom and Dad I didn't see anything. I don't want my sister stealing their love. They can only love me!"

That's when it hit me. For ten years, my sister had been living in my body, soaking up Mom and Dad's love.

She had already planned to use her second and last chance to lay everything on me!

And my own parents believed her! They were going to sell me off to some old guy with a cane as punishment.

Remembering those ten years of hell, and then that betrayal by my own parents... I just lost it. I burned the house down with everyone inside.

I clench my fists. I swear, this time, I'm going to make them all pay.

Looking out the window, I recognize the scenery. I let out a sigh.

Thank God, they are still selling me into Butthead Village.

I lived in that village for ten years, I know it well.

Last time, the family that bought me wanted a wife for their developmentally challenged son.

I fought like hell, tried to escape, and ended up chained in a pen, beaten and starved.

This time, I'll play nice, act obedient, and give those kidnappers a taste of their own medicine!

Three days and nights on the road.

Finally, the car pulls over on some dark, back road outside of Butthead Village.

Fran and May were encouraging me to get out.

"There's Grandma's house, Honey, let's go!"

I'm acting all cute and innocent.

I haven't cried or made any trouble. I eat whatever they give me.

Now, looking at these dark, deserted hills, I'm not even scared.

I even smile, asking, "Aunties, will I get all the candy apples I can eat there?"

"Of course, sweetie, of course."

May mumbles. She leans into Fran and whispers,

"Think the kid's a little slow? We're out in the middle of nowhere, and she's still thinking about candy?"

"They aren't going to want a slow one!"

Fran said shaking her head, "Nah, I heard the buyers' son isn't the sharpest tool in the shed himself. It doesn't matter if she's slow."

"Two dopes makes one whole, as long as they can keep the family name going."

They pull me along towards the village.

Soon, we're at the house where I was bought last time. The Zweistein family is waiting in the yard.

When they see me, they are all smiles.

Harry Zweistein lifts up a kerosene lamp, shining it in my face.

"Yep, she's a looker alright!"