Iwaited twenty minutes after Mom and Dad drove to their hiking-and-dining adventure. Then I locked the entrance door and hid my coat and boots away. Like that, if they come back because they forgot something or because the weather degrades rapidly or for anything else, it’ll look like I left. Gaby has been warned.
The only problem with my plan is that if Mom and Dad go straight to the basement, I’m screwed. There will be no time to get out. I’ll have to come clean.
With my heart racing, I knock in our agreed pattern to let Darrel know it’s me and then open the door to his room—his “cell” as he calls it.
He’s sitting up in his bed and reading a well-worn book by the light of a flashlight in his hand. The bandage around the top of his head is gone now, revealing a clean-looking scab under his hairline.
A broad smile spreads across my face. He’s recovering at a much faster rate than before!
On my last visit, he asked for a book, preferably a paperback, and a tiny flashlight that he could quickly tuck under the mattress to conceal it from my parents. He said he was losing his mind with no other sensory or intellectual input than the darkness, pain, and desperation. I pickedThree Men in a Boatby Jerome K Jerome. It’s the funniest book I have ever read. I thought Darrel would enjoy it, but I wasn’t sure he was well enough to read.
“Hello, Stella!” he says.
I close the door and turn on the overhead light. “You like the book?”
“It’s really good!” He switches the flashlight off and dog-ears a page. “Thank you so much for this little gem!”
His voice is still weak but more lively and stronger than before. Deeper, too. Velvety. I love the sound of it. The other thing I love is that someone trimmed his beard. If he was handsome before, now he’s swoon-worthy.
I take a seat beside him, making sure to leave enough space so that I don’t accidentally brush against his broken legs. “Did my parents perform aritual,like you thought they would? Did you manage to tape it?”
“Yes and, I believe, yes.”
What?That can’t be true. I was sure he had dreamed the earlier ceremonies up.
I clear my throat. “What did they do?”
“Good question.”
Huh?“What do you mean?”
“They drugged and hypnotized me, so I can’t remember much.” He shrugs an apology. “Did I tell you that your mom rocks at hypnosis?”
She rocks at everything she sets her mind to, so that doesn’t surprise me. But his allegations are absurd.
“This is no joking matter,” I say primly. “Did you view the recording?”
Silently, he points at his legs. “I’ll discover it at the same time as you.”
I slap my forehead.What a fool I am!Not only can’t he walk to the wall to take the camera eye off, but he doesn’t have anything to view the material on.
I unstick the tiny device from the wall and return to Darrel’s side.
His lips curve into a crooked smile. “Let’s hope it isn’t X-rated. I can’t watch adult or violent stuff with you.”
“I’m twenty-two!”
He sizes me up. “You look younger.”
“It’s because I’m short and skinny.”
“Even if you were tall and curvy, from my thirty-eight years of age, you’re a confused, inexperienced, and stubborn kid.”
I stomp. “I’m no child, Darrel! Please don’t call me that.”
“Stella,” he says. “This argument is pointless. Let’s watch the video.”
I agree but him calling me a child exasperates me. The funny thing is, I don’t mind it when other people assume I’m younger than my age. I take it as a compliment. But coming from Darrel, it upsets and frustrates me to no end.