Chapter 60
Maple
@DebsfromDetroit, TikTok
OMG that sick and twisted motherfucker. How could Bodi put photos of his own daughter on the dark web? He was a shitty singer and now we know he’s a disgusting human #findElla
I lean against the crinkly bark and close my eyes. It’s weird. When I’m here, halfway up a maple tree, sunshine sneaking through, I can do this. Close my eyes without that image of Ella appearing. So why can’t I do it in my bed at night?
But I know why. It’s because the darkness seeps into my imagination. And then it’s not Ella on that gross website, it’s me. My photos being dribbled over by disgusting men.
When I read that comment from @anon357.9, I thought he meant that Ella was a porn star now, that it was her job.
I didn’t think it could get worse than that, but then it did.
Either someone took those pictures of Ella when she was young and posted them there, or some pedophile has pulled a regular photo off her socials and used AI to create porn.
Either way, she’s been exploited and abused. Of course she’d want to run away.
And it all makes sense now. The argument, Ella struggling with who she is, that lotus flower tattoo and what it symbolizes.
But none of this gets us any closer to figuring out where she is now.
Still the only person claiming to know where she’s at is Brandoninthesky.
And he’s gone dark since leaving that comment, so it’s probably bullshit anyway.
My phone vibrates and I look down. It’s a snap from Dylan, but without words, just a link.
I click into it and see that it’s the Harts’ YouTube page.
There’s a new short, the first they’ve posted since we started our channel.
Selena and Bodi are sitting close together, face-on to the camera.
Both wearing white linen, like they’re a gift from God.
I play the video, and it’s Selena who does the talking.
Some of you may know that there have been rumors abounding about our beautiful daughter Ella.
Until now, we’ve chosen to stay silent, to respect Ella’s right to privacy.
But no longer. We could cope with the lies, the crazy gossip, the fake news and loud opinions of people who don’t know us and have no right to judge.
But these recent allegations, that Bodi – who, by the way, is the best father in the world – was involved in something as despicable as child sexual abuse. Well, we had to speak out.
So yes, it is true that Ella’s not at the Royal Ballet in London, and I apologize with all my heart for not being honest about that.
But we didn’t do it to protect our brand, like the haters are saying.
We did it to protect our daughter. To honor her request for anonymity as she worked through some things.
Because it is also true that some evil creature has used Ella’s beautiful face and new AI technology to create disgusting images for depraved perverts on the dark web.
Ever since we discovered this, we have been working tirelessly with the ICAC Task Force to get them taken down, and to find the perpetrators in this horrific crime. But it is not easy.
And do you know what? It will be so much harder now that this terrible truth has been shared so widely. So shame on you, Maple Clark and Dylan Jones. Maybe it’s too late for Ella to come out of this unscathed, but please remember, actions have consequences.
The video ends, but I continue staring at their faces, the gut-punching mix of purpose and accusation frozen in time. Shame on you, Maple Clark. Is Selena right? Have I made things worse for Ella by telling the world what’s happened to her?
My eyes sting with tears, and I screw them closed. I wasn’t supposed to feel like this. I was doing something good. But now my parents hate me. Selena and Bodi Hart blame me. Maddie’s rejected me. And my followers only care about the drama I’m creating.
I replay the video. Listen to Selena’s apology for lying again, then her promise that it was for the right reasons.
Her talking about the work she says she’s doing to reclaim her daughter’s dignity.
She doesn’t mention anything about where Ella is now.
She makes out like that’s about respect for Ella, but I bet it’s because she doesn’t actually know.
My phone buzzes in my hand. It’s Dylan trying to FaceTime. For some reason – him caring enough to call maybe – tears threaten again. I quickly blink them away and accept his call.
‘You know it’s basically bullshit, right?’ he says as soon as we connect.
I nod, try to smile, but my lips feel stuck together.
‘Selena Hart has been performing for her adoring fans for twenty years, remember. She knows exactly how to manipulate an audience.’
‘But she’s right about that last thing though,’ I manage to whisper. ‘We have told the world about Ella being on the dark web. Well, I have,’ I correct. ‘It was me, not you.’
Dylan shakes his head. ‘No way. All of this, we’ve done together. Collective responsibility. We’re a team, right?’
Jeez, I’m definitely going to start crying now. I blink madly, nod, smile.
‘And what’s the alternative to speaking out?’ Dylan continues. ‘Staying quiet? Protecting the disgusting men who commit these crimes?’
I feel my shoulders drop an inch, then draw back. ‘You’re right,’ I murmur. Then my voice strengthens. ‘I mean, why should Ella be ashamed of something that’s not her fault?’
‘Exactly.’ Dylan smiles, relieved. ‘Selena Hart is just doing that classic thing of finding a scapegoat to hide her own fuck-ups. Don’t let her get to you.’
‘I’m glad we’re doing this together,’ I say quietly, not quite making eye contact.
He smiles again. ‘Yeah. Me too.’