Page 48 of Psycho

For ruining themerchandise.

I was going to be sick.

Micah looked at me, his face giving nothing away.

“Go, Lainey. Go pack your things.”

I was rendered speechless. I didn’t know what to say.

“No? I don’t blame you for wanting to leave all this shit behind. Last chance, Lainey. You take what you want because you’re sure as fuck not coming back here.”

Not come back here?

Did that mean he was keeping me locked up?

I had spent so much of my time resenting this trailer, but to leave with this man—this strange man who Dad was obviously scared of—was something else entirely.

He made a move toward me, and a panic rushed through me, sending me into action without another thought. I rushed inside my room and shutting the door behind me.

Everything felt hazy.

Like I was simply observing everything happening from a third person’s perspective, and this couldn’t possibly be how my day turned out to be.

I still had my school backpack hung on my shoulders. The weight of it seemed to pull me down, and I struggled to even stay standing right now.

I blinked as the room blurred. Or perhaps that was just my vision.

I hadn’t planned on leaving so soon.

I had planned on waiting out for the rest of the school year and when I could find another alternative for Grandma’s care, but now…

Tears stung my eyes.

What was going to happen to her?

What about school?

I wanted to leave this trailer so many times, but now that my hand was forced, I found myself… scared shitless.

I moved to the closet, opened up the small covering of the floorboard, took out all my cash, and shoved it inside the backpack.

I dumped out all the notebooks in my backpack and packed three outfits, most of my underwear, seven pairs of socks, and finally, my toothbrush.

I stood up and quickly looked around the room.

If I was missing something, it didn't matter. I didn’t have time, and I had to leave before either of them realized what was happening.

I moved to my window, opened it, and pushed my backpack out before I jumped.

I landed on my knees, and pained seared through me. I gritted my teeth, and reached for the backpack, slinging it over my shoulders. I was about to straighten when a pair of black boots came into my line of sight.

Fuck.

“How predictable. I had expected more from you, baby girl,” Micah muttered casually as if he was talking about the weather.

I looked up and met his cold silver eyes, unable to tell if he was pissed or not, but I wasn’t going to stay behind and find out.

I shot off to my left in a run.

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