Page 134 of Finders Keepers

Gavin’s jaw clenches as he stares at the window. “We need to call the police.”

“No!” The word bursts out before I can stop it. “He’s been drinking. If the police show up, he’ll…” I can’t finish the sentence. The image of Matt, drunk and cornered, with Sophie in the room, is too terrifying to voice.

“Bailey.” Gavin turns to face me fully, his eyes intense. “We can’t handle this alone. He’s dangerous.”

“You don’t understand.” My voice cracks. “When he drinks, he gets… unpredictable. If he feels trapped…” I wrap my arms around myself, trying to stop shaking. “He could hurt her before they even get to the door.”

The rain drums harder on the roof of the truck, matching the frantic beating of my heart. Lightning flashes again, illuminating the motel in stark white for a split second.

I stare at the motel window where Matt’s silhouette had just been, my breath coming in short, shallow gasps. Every instinct screams at me to run up there, to grab Sophie and never look back. But the rational part of my brain knows that’s exactly what would get us both hurt.

“Bailey.” Gavin’s voice cuts through my panic, his hand finding mine in the darkness. “We need help.”

I shake my head, tears blurring my vision. “You don’t know him like I do. If the police show up with sirens and lights…” My voice catches. “He’s been drinking, Gavin. When he’s drunk, he gets violent. Unpredictable.”

“Which is exactly why we can’t handle this alone.” His thumb traces circles on the back of my hand, steady and grounding. “People like him count on fear keeping everyone quiet. That’s how they maintain control.”

Lightning flashes again, illuminating his face, the concern in his eyes, the determined set of his jaw. In that moment, he looks nothing like Matt. Nothing like the man who’s used his strength to hurt me.

“The longer we wait, the more he drinks,” he continues softly. “And the more dangerous he becomes.”

The truth of his words rings true. I’ve spent years calculating risk, anticipating Matt’s moods, trying to keep Sophie safe. But this time, I’m out of options. This time, I need to trust someone else.

“Okay,” I whisper, the word feeling like surrender and strength all at once. “Call them. But tell them—” I grip his arm tightly. “Tell them no sirens. No lights. He needs to think he’s still in control until they’re right at the door.”

Gavin nods, already pulling out his phone. “I’ll make sure they understand the situation.”

As he dials, I press my forehead against the cool glass of the window, my eyes fixed on room 219. “Hold on, Sophie,” I whisper. “Mommy’s coming.”

Moments later my heart stops dead in my chest as I watch the room door fly open. Matt emerges, his movements deliberate as he places a large brown suitcase outside by the rusted metal railing. Then Sophie appears, her little blonde head illuminated by the harsh yellow motel lighting that casts eerie shadows across the walkway mixed with the flickering neon sign. She’s still wearing the same clothes from this morning, but her hair is no longer in the braids.

I watch, my breath caught in my throat, as Matt leans down and says something to her before disappearing back into the dimly lit room.

Before I can process what I’m doing, before Gavin can reach out and stop me, I’m throwing open the truck door with determined hands and bolt across the cracked asphalt parking lot, rain drenching me as I run.

“Bailey, stop! Come back!” Gavin’s voice booms behind me, but I can’t stop. I won’t stop. My daughter is right there, just feet away from me.

I take the metal stairs two at a time, my feet clanging against them like the rumbling storm above.

Sophie turns at the sound. “Mommy!” She stands there, looking relieved to see me for a brief moment before her small body goes rigid. Her eyes suddenly widen as she turns back to look into the room.

The sound of her voice sends a powerful surge of adrenaline through my body, but before I can reach her, Matt bursts out of the room like an enraged bull. Everything happens so fast, like a horrific blur. His face contorts with unbridled rage as he grabs Sophie with one muscular arm and me with the other, throwing us both into the room with frightening force. I stumble forward, frantically trying to stay upright while shielding Sophie from impact but can’t manage it and crash down hard onto my knees, sliding across the filthy carpet.

“Sophie, baby, go to the bathroom and lock the door. Don’t come out until I tell you to,” I command, trying to keep my voice steady despite the terror coursing through my veins. My hands tremble as I guide her toward the bathroom.

I hear Gavin’s desperately screaming mine and Sophie’s names and then the door slams shut with a thunderous bang that seems to cut us off completely from the outside world. Matt rapidly secures both the deadbolt and chain, the metallic clicks echoing ominously in the room. Each sound feels like another nail in our coffin as he ensures that no one can get in and more terrifyingly, that no one can get out.

I scramble to my feet, pushing Sophie behind me and towards the bathroom. My heart pounds against my ribs like a trapped bird, each beat echoing in my ears.

“But Mommy—” Her small voice quivers, eyes wide with fear.

“Now, Sophie!” I watch her run into the bathroom. The click of the lock provides a small measure of relief, though my stomach remains knotted with dread.

Matt’s face is twisted with rage, his eyes wild and unfocused like a rabid animal.

“You dumb bitch,” he snarls, advancing toward me with heavy steps that make the floor creak. “Did you really think you could just take her and run?”

I know that look. It’s the same one he gets right before he hits me. My heart sinks as I realize there’s no talking my way out of this. Not this time.

---