Chapter Fourteen

“It’s your turn, Charlotte bird.”

I can tell he’s grinning at me, but I keep my eyes fixed on the dirty floor. I want to run away, but I can’t. He’s locked all the doors and hidden the key. He calls me his “bird,” but he’s broken my wings.

I listen to the sick sound of metal grinding as he spins the chamber. Always ten times. Sometimes he makes me count them out loud.

I’m only six, but I know there’s something wrong with him. He smells the same but he acts funny. It’s as if he doesn’t see me, even when he’s looking straight at my face.

It’s been four days. Four days since he took me away from her. I haven’t eaten. I’ve barely had any water, but always this game. Every night.

Spinning that barrel for the both of us.