Chapter Seven
Romy
T he rain is endless.
It’s also kept us from going to the lab this morning.
I’m antsy and eager to get out of this house that’s not my home. Freedom is so close I can almost taste it.
How I’m going to escape with me and Kaitlyn, while I’m headed for my third trimester in another week, and no vehicle to escape in is beyond my comprehension right now. All I know for sure is I’m not going to let this opportunity pass me by.
“I think the rain is finally letting up,” Seth says, approaching me from behind as I watch the rain run rivulets down the windowpane. “You about ready to go?”
His arms encircle me, and he nuzzles my neck. I want nothing more than to shove him away from me. I’m hardly able to stomach his touch.
And yet, I lean against him, playing the role of my lifetime.
This is truly terrifying.
I feel so alone with my thoughts and situation. The weight of responsibility to rescue Kaitlyn, too, is a lot on a woman who’s barely holding it together as is. Not to mention, time is of the essence. I’m pregnant. This baby will come sooner rather than later, and if I’m not out of Seth’s hold by then, I may never be able to leave.
“We should go to the mall with Kaitlyn,” I tell him as he rubs my belly. “Maybe see a movie or something. She’s going stir-crazy in the house with all this rain.”
He stiffens at my suggestion. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
I want to scream at this man. It sickens me to know he screwed with my head to have me dumb and compliant until my recent awakening.
Sure, I could tell him all the reasons why it’s unhealthy to keep us locked away all day with no human interaction, but I’m on a razor-thin wire. One wrong step and I lose all progress.
“Maybe another time,” I say with false cheer.
“Get Kaitlyn ready. We’ll head out while there’s a lull in the rain.”
He smacks my bottom and then strides away. I curl up my lip in disgust but then quickly smooth out my features before finding Kaitlyn. She’s in her room, standing by her dollhouse, staring oddly at the Ken doll in her hand.
Something about the way she looks at it, terror flashing in her eyes, has my heart rate speeding up.
“Hey, sweetheart,” I say softly. “Everything okay?”
She drops the doll as if it’s burned her hand and she jerks her head my way. Her eyes are wide and brimming with tears.
Is her mind clearing too?
What does she remember? What does she know?
Slowly, I approach her, hoping she’s not about to freak out on me. I need her to play along until I can figure out a way for us to escape.
“Come here,” I murmur gently, hugging her to me. “I’ve got you, baby.”
She squeezes me so tight, I think the pressure is going to make my bladder explode. I stroke my fingers through her silky hair, hoping to comfort her the best I can.
“Want to talk about it?” I ask as she pulls away.
She grimaces and shakes her head. “No, Mommy.”
My chest aches with the need to sit her down and get to the bottom of her reaction to the doll, but not with Seth waiting for us. We have to get moving.
“Get your shoes on. We’re headed for Daddy’s work. Then, later, maybe we can have some girl time and watch a movie together.”
This earns me a bright smile.
Leaning toward her, I cup her cheek and kiss her forehead. “I’ll protect you. Always. Okay, sweetie?”
She nods and the pain in my chest eases.
I’m going to get us out of here.
The drive from our—Seth’s house—is unfamiliar despite having been down this road before. Whatever Stem Lock is doing, it’s keeping me from remembering details like this. I’m so frustrated I could scream.
Rather than melting down in the passenger seat, I greedily take in every dreary detail. Seth tells me heavy rainfall this time of year is unseasonable. Not that I believe anything he says. I don’t even know where we live.
When the road curves around a tree-lined bend, a building comes into view. Unease trickles through me. The main road is probably a good half mile past the building in the far distance. And, from my vantage point, I don’t see cars rushing by.
I’m going to have to steal a car.
Can they track me and Kaitlyn somehow? Is there something imbedded under our skin? I feel as if I’m trapped in a sci-fi movie, with no hope in sight.
Seth parks at what appears to be the back of the building. He steps out and opens his umbrella. Then he opens the door for Kaitlyn behind his seat before coming around to my side. The three of us huddle under the umbrella as we make our way to the door.
He swipes a keycard and then the lock makes a clicking sound. A blast of chilly air rushes out as the door opens. We step into what looks like a break room. An older female nurse with gray hair sits at one of the tables, poking at a microwaved meal.
“Dr. Portman,” she greets, smiling. “Lovely to see you and the family this dreary day.”
“Nurse Janet.” He nods and then nudges Kaitlyn. “Say hi, angel.”
“Hi,” Kaitlyn murmurs, voice trembling.
This place unnerves her too.
Keep it together, honey.
I stroke my palm over the top of her head. “It’s okay.”
She gives me a wary look and then follows Seth out of the room. I don’t blindly follow him. In fact, I study every exit sign, every nurse we pass, every hallway and door.
Maybe someone will help me escape?
Doubtful. They’re all monsters, gleefully experimenting on people who never gave them their consent. At least that’s the case with me and Kaitlyn.
Seth takes us to a room. There’s an exam table in the center of the room and a row of chairs. Me and Kaitlyn choose to sit on the chairs while Seth rummages around in a cabinet. He pulls out a gown and tosses it at me.
“Put that on, love.”
I’m not his love.
Kaitlyn picks up the gown that’s fallen to the floor at my feet and hands it to me. I take it from her, desperately trying to school my features.
“Change in the bathroom,” Seth says, “while Kaitlyn helps me get my supplies ready.”
I don’t want to leave her and I certainly don’t want to change out of my clothes, but if I don’t comply, I’m not sure what he’ll do. Playing along is my best bet right now until I see my opportunity.
While Seth shows Kaitlyn to one of the cabinets, I walk to the bathroom in the exam room. He is gentle and kind as he explains all the supplies and equipment he plans to use. Once inside the bathroom, I’m disappointed to discover there’s no window or doors. Just a toilet and a sink. I change out of my clothes and tug on the gown. I’m tempted to keep my shoes on but know that won’t fly. Finally, I exit and find Seth showing Kaitlyn a blood pressure cuff.
“Get onto the exam table,” Seth tells me. “I’m going to take Kaitlyn down to visit Nurse Ella. She has new stickers.”
Kaitlyn brightens at the mention of stickers. My stomach twists at the thought of being separated from her. She casts me a look over her shoulder, smiling happily at me. It’s a stab to the heart.
“Maybe she should stay,” I blurt out.
Seth ignores me, tugging her by the hand out of the room.
I start after them, unsure exactly what I plan on doing. The door reopens but instead of Seth, another man walks in. His nametag says Doc Junior.
“Going somewhere?” He arches an eyebrow and flashes me an evil grin.
I deflate and wonder if I’ll be given an opportunity to be alone for three minutes to make my escape.
“Feeling sick,” I rush out, waving a hand in front of my face. “Crackers? Sprite? I need something so I don’t puke all over the place.”
“Yeah, sure. I’ll grab some stuff for you. Sit down before you pass out. You’re looking a little pale.”
I take a seat near the door, lean back, and close my eyes. His stare bores into me, probably looking for sincerity in feeling ill. When he deems me to be telling the truth, he leaves the room. I force myself to count to ten before rising to my feet and then slowly pulling open the door.
When I peek my head out, he’s nowhere to be found. I may only have minutes, or even seconds, to slip from their grasp.
I have to find Kaitlyn.
Her giggling can be heard around the corner to the left, but I see an exit sign to my right. If I go after her, I’ll encounter Seth. I’ll be right back in the same boat. But if I take my exit while I can, I can escape.
I can’t leave her.
I have to.
Seth is a monster, creating false memories in the minds of his false family, but I know he won’t hurt her. If I can safely get away, I will come back for her as soon as I can.
It’s my only option.
Still, my legs don’t want to work.
My motherly instinct screams at me to grab my little girl and run.
Reality smacks me in the face when I hear a clatter somewhere nearby. I have to go. Now.
I take off toward the right, running in a slight jog. I’m shoeless and wearing a stupid gown, but I may not get another chance. Since I paid close attention before, I’m able to navigate down a series of hallways back toward the break room.
If Janet’s still there, I’ll do whatever is necessary to make sure she doesn’t stand in my way. I’ll throw a chair at the old woman if I have to.
I enter the break room, ready for a fight. I’m relieved to discover it empty. The door is so close.
Then what?
Seth has his keys, so I can’t steal his car. I’m going to have to run toward the main road and hope no one notices I’m gone. They’ll easily catch up to me once they realize I’ve escaped.
I can’t let them catch me.
The rain has picked back up and pours from the clouds as if God’s about to flood the Earth again. I’m grateful for the thunder and sounds of rain that mask my escape. Getting drenched in three seconds and almost busting my ass on the slick concrete steps is another story.
This sucks.
Really, really sucks.
As the water soaks me to the bone, I long for the dry, cozy bed at home.
Not your home. Not your bed.
My bare feet smack the puddled pavement as I run. It’s not easy with a pregnant belly and terror eating me alive, but I manage to keep going. When I round the side of the building, I put my eyes on the prize.
The main road.
I just have to make it there so I can flag down a vehicle.
Please let someone see me and pick me up.
Lightning flashes close by and then a loud clap of thunder makes me squeak out in surprise. My baby jumps in my stomach, also startled by the loud sound. I clutch my stomach, whispering assurances as I continue my trek.
Small pebbles sting the bottoms of my feet, but I don’t let them deter me. I’m committed now. No turning back. I’ll come back with the police to get Kaitlyn.
I want them all arrested for their horrific crimes.
I’m halfway down the road when I hear it. It starts off as a soft wail and then it turns deafening. For a moment, I wonder if it’s a tornado siren. I quickly realize it’s an escapee alarm.
They know I’m missing.
I thought I’d have more time!
Tears flood my eyes, mixing with the rainwater sluicing over my face. My lungs burn and my legs ache from exertion. I’m dizzy and stressed to the max.
Escape. Escape. Escape.
The main road gets closer and closer. But behind me, I hear shouting. Someone is calling for me.
Run faster, Romy!
A sob escapes me but another clap of thunder drowns it out. The concrete beneath my feet is slick and I nearly slip again. I’m terrified at the thought of falling. I could hurt the baby.
Should I just give up?
It would be easy. They would fix me. Things would go blank. Everything would be dry and warm.
No!
So close to the main road.
It’s anticlimactic when I reach the main road because there aren’t any cars to flag down. I’m unsure if I need to go right or left and end up choosing left because there are trees I could hide in if necessary.
And then I see it.
A black vehicle coming around the curve toward me.
I have to get them to stop.
Stupidly, I stand in the middle of the road, waving my hands wildly. The gown is glued to my body, crudely leaving nothing to the imagination underneath. I’m exposed and vulnerable. I could jump from one trap right into another.
The vehicle sees me too late and slams on their brakes. Because of the water on the road, the SUV hydroplanes, heading straight for me. All I can do is turn my back to the vehicle and clutch my belly, hoping like hell I can protect my baby.
Screeching behind me seems to go on for an eternity.
And then pain.
Not a lot, but enough to bruise. The bumper of the vehicle smacks against my butt, sending a radiating wave of pain through my tailbone and up my spine.
But it doesn’t knock me over and it doesn’t flatten me.
I’m okay.
Oh my God.
“Romy?”
I’m caught. No!
Frantically, I turn toward the sound of the voice. It’s not Seth or Doc Junior. The voice is female. I meet the gaze of the woman now rushing my way.
I know her.
I love her.
“Mom?”
Eva—my beloved stepmother—grabs hold of me and hugs me. “Get in the car, hon. Now.”
I sob in relief and scramble for the passenger seat. I’m barely inside with the door closed when she peels away. We pass by a car coming from the lab. I meet Seth’s stare as we zoom past him.
I’ve barely escaped.
Now we have to lose him.