Eventually, we come to a stop on a normal-looking street.
Acacia points at a group of teenagers partying on the lawn. “Do you see her?”
The group dances to loud music and they pass around red cups, laughing between themselves. A beautiful blonde girl in a blue dress stands in the middle of them, beaming.
“Sarah…”
I lunge for the door handle. My desire to protect her overpowers whatever medication pumps through my veins. I have to warn her! Another click of the dreaded button makes me slump backward. I’m not going anywhere.
A handsome guy with a perfect smile wraps his arm around Sarah’s shoulders and whispers something in her ear that makes her giggle. My fists clench in anger. My first instinct is to smash out every single one of his white teeth, but I don’t know why…
“Keep your eyes on her,” Acacia orders, clicking the button to eradicate my anger. “Don’t look away.”
Sarah turns in our direction. Our eyes meet. Her jaw drops in horror, like she’s seen a ghost.
“Dammit,” he curses, hitting the gas and speeding away. “Change of plans.”
I check the mirror to see Sarah grabbing the guy’s arm, worry written all over her face, and tugging him to a waiting car.
We drive around for a while, weaving through the streets with no clear destination in mind. Acacia doesn’t speak, but he grinds his teeth in fury and occasionally slams his hands on the wheel, while checking his cell phone like an obsessive stalker.
“That should do it,” he mumbles, coming to a stop outside an ordinary house surrounded by a high gate.
My stomach drops as I squint to see a familiar figure in the darkness, creeping around the side of the building toward the garage and out of our view.
“Time to go, Twenty-Five.”
Acacia gets out, and I follow. We slink around the back of the house to catch up with Sarah, who’s talking on the phone.
“Grab her,” Acacia instructs, jamming the button three times. “Now!”
I lose all sense of who I am. His words are all I can comprehend. I dive at Sarah in the darkness. She squeals as I get her in a headlock then spin her to face Acacia.
“You’ve already had your last warning, Sarah. Enough is enough,” Acacia spits, striking her hard across the face. “Follow me, Twenty-Five.”
Sarah resists as I drag her through the garden. She digs her heels into the grass, but it’s no use. I haul her through the back door, smothering her mouth so no one hears her screams. She claws my arms, thrashing to free herself, but it’s a losing battle. She stands no chance against me. I’m stronger and will always have the upper hand.
“Drop her,” Acacia hisses.
Sarah falls to the cold tiled floor, her hair flops forward and covers her face. We’re in a pristine kitchen. There’s no light aside from various appliances on standby, making it difficult to see.
“Dad, please!” Sarah sobs. “You don’t understand…”
Her shoulders shake inconsolably from her hysterical sniveling.
“Enough!” Acacia roars. “‘I’ve tried everything, Sarah. I really have. I’ve given you chance after chance, time and time again. Therapy didn’t make a difference. A stint in Sunnycrest didn’t help. What choice do I have when you still insist on defying me? You’re beyond saving.”
She grabs my ankle and yanks on my pant leg, as if she’s pleading for my help.
I don’t look down.
“Twenty-Five?”
I stand to attention, ready to do whatever he asks. Acacia’s word is all that matters. “Yes, sir?”
“Snap her neck,” he orders.
He watches me closely, checking for any sign of resistance, but there is none.
