Chapter 16
CHAPTER
SIXTEEN
FREYJA
I’m trying to enjoy the show we’re watching, but all I can think about is the flashing news report that played on every national network channel last night.
Father’s face was the highlight as the reel went across the bottom of the screen warning everyone to be on the lookout for him.
He has been deemed armed and dangerous and if spotted, you should call your local authorities immediately.
His crimes were scrawled out, and they gave me nightmares which have crossed into my daytime hours.
I don’t know where they got the photo they used, but at some point, he’s been arrested for other, unconnected crimes.
Most of them were shoplifting and defacement of property.
How he went from small crimes like that to kidnapping, rape, and murder are beyond my comprehension.
I thought they started off their tirade of crime by torturing and killing defenseless animals, not with theft and vandalism.
Looks like I need to do some further research on the topic because I want to get inside his mind and try to understand why he does the disgusting things he does.
“Ladies,” Nova says as he flops down on the couch across from us. “It’s Christmas Eve and I was curious if you two have some sort of tradition?”
“We weren’t allowed to do anything. All we did was watch shows on television,” Chaney informs him.
“Father said it was a made up holiday to try and break families,” I tell him.
Chaney reaches out and pats my knee before turning her attention to Nova.
“Remember, Father led us to believe he had to fight for items. We thought it was like the apocalypse outside of our house. So we were content to stay safe indoors. Although, I had started making plans on how to keep us both safe when he finally set us free.”
“He had you girls so twisted you didn’t know which way was up,” Nova rumbles. “I’m about to give you some quick truths. Nobody fights for food, clothes, or… anything. We work, we earn a paycheck and we pay for our shit. The world is not like The Purge.”
I shiver when he states the title of that movie because surviving like that—it’s one of my many fears.
Once, when I was brave I asked Father what it was like outside and that’s the movie he showed us, and I shared that with Nova not too long ago.
But now that I’m learning he fed us nothing but lies for the entirety of our lives, I am starting to believe that it was his way of keeping us in his debt and thankful for him putting himself in danger to give us what we did have.
“Freyja, you can’t let everything he told you keep you from exploring and finding a life for yourself,” Nova suggests, his tone soft and compassionate. “He’s stolen enough from you, don’t give him the power to take anything else. I promised that I’d keep you safe, and I will.”
“Me too,” Chaney declares, her face shifting from being despondent to a wide, confident smile. “You and me, sister.” I love it when she says this to me, it’s a reminder that I’ll never have to face anything by myself because she’ll always be there at my side, holding me up.
“You and me,” I repeat, reaching out and gripping her hand with mine, giving it a light squeeze. Looking at Nova, I shake my head, feeling like I’m about to let him down. “I’m not ready yet. I’m sorry.”
“One step at a time, okay?” he asks. “If you never think you can take a step out that front door, it’s alright. We’ll deal.”
“Thank you. Maybe one day I’ll be brave enough to go out the front door. For right now, the backyard is as far as I’m willing to venture from the house,” I answer.
“After what you’ve been through, I’m just happy you’re willing to do that. We’ll have to do a lot of outdoor grilling,” Nova declares. “But not until the weather warms back up.”
I giggle because he tried to barbecue the other day and came in complaining about his balls shriveling up and hiding to keep warm.
Nova has taught us all about streaming and tonight, we’re on one of the channels surfing through Christmas movies.
Christmas Eve and Day were always special for me and Chaney.
It was the one night we could hide beneath the blankets and watch others celebrate and be left alone by Father.
He was too busy trying to find the end of a bottle to bother us.
As a matter of fact, for those two glorious days, he all but forgot we existed.
Through Nova, I’m learning what Christmas is all about.
We never thought it was about gifts because we never received any, but it still had a greedy feel about it when we watched kids through the screen of the television ungratefully rip through wrapping paper and tear off toward their rooms as soon as all the presents had been opened, leaving the parents to clean up after them.
I vowed if I ever got a gift from anyone, I’d show them how much it means to me. Not only would I pick up after myself, but I’d share it with the one who gifted it to me.
It’s midnight before we decide to call it a night. All three of us are beyond exhausted from our movie marathon. Chaney and I got our first taste of hot chocolate, which had us wired for a bit, and when we were handed a candy cane, my taste buds finally understood what tasting Heaven was like.
Before heading out of the living room, I cross over to the tree that we decorated by hanging lights, bulbs, and tinsel, feeling the needles as I close my eyes and send a silent thank you to the universe for sending Nova to us.
A hand settles on my shoulder and the weight of it brings me back from my silent reverie.
“Let’s head to bed, sister. Nova said you could cook us all breakfast in the morning so that means we need to get a good night’s rest so we can get up early,” Chaney reminds me.
“I’m excited. I can’t wait to make those homemade cinnamon rolls we found the recipe for online. Are you sure Nova got all the ingredients?”
“I double-checked, everything you wrote down got delivered,” Chaney promises.
“Wonder why he sent us to our room when his friends came over? Do you think he’s ashamed of us?” I ask my sister.
“No, sister, I don’t. You want to hear what I think that was about?” Chaney probes.
“Yeah,” I admit, swiping my tongue over my bottom lip—a nervous habit of mine.
“I think he knows we’re still nervous around strangers, Freyja, and sent us away so we weren’t intimidated. The house was full of men, didn’t you hear all the different male voices?”
“I did, and I think you may be right,” I concede. “One day, I’ll be strong enough that I won’t need to be sent away and you won’t have to go with me for me to feel safe.”
“It’s no sacrifice, sister,” Chaney chides. “You aren’t only my family, Freyja, you’re my best friend. Wherever you are, that’s where I want to be.”
“I know that here,” I say, tapping my finger on my temple. Then I jab my finger toward my chest cavity, directly over my heart and continue speaking. “But here, everything is jumbled and then I feel guilty because I can’t seem to get past my hang ups.”
“It’ll happen,” Chaney assures me, hugging me to her as she guides me to our bedroom. “Both of us have already done things we only dreamed of doing not too long ago. It hasn’t been that long since we took a chance and followed Nova. Nothing says we’re brave more than that, don’t you think?”
“It was hard, but I’m glad we did it,” I tell her as she shuts the door behind us and leads me to the bed, urging me to scoot in and slide beneath the blanket.
“Sweet dreams, Freyja.” She turns out the lights and a few seconds later, I feel her slide in behind me. “May you dance with the stars and climb over the clouds.”
“As long as you’re there with me,” I drowsily reply, letting the darkness consume me.