Every bone in her tiny body can be felt as I rub my hand over her back.
“Does it hurt you?”
“No, I’m okay.”
“You’re lucky. I think it would hurt me.”
“Well, nothing will hurt you as long as I’m here.”
“Thank you. I love you.”
I squeeze her only a little tighter because I am truly afraid I’ll break something and drop a kiss into her hair. The thoughtsbegin about the dirt clinging to her, but I can’t wipe my lips. I can’t push her away when she’s all I have.
I hum the song again, more for me than her, realizing more than ever that the words mean everything.
“You are the reason, Dollie. The reason I’m still here. I’m not lucky. I just have to protect you.”
“Because you’re the best big brother.”
“I’m sorry I was mad at you at the start of all this.”
“It’s okay. You’re not anymore, right?”
“I’ll never be mad at you again. I promise.”
The basement door creaks open, and my eyes roll shut for a moment.
Dollie forces herself up, and a puddle forms around us while I’m still sitting down. Shaking the drips from my fingers, I try to push the yellow liquid from the dresser.
“Well, isn’t that disgusting. You’re disgusting.” Colin smiles at Dollie. “I bet your brother really hates you and all the germs you carry.”
Her worried little face snaps in my direction as I push myself up.
“I don’t. I don’t hate you.”
“He’s lying. I think he needs a night off.”
Before I can comprehend what that even means, Colin stomps through the water. He pulls Dollie from the dresser by her hair, and she splashes into the water that’s now up to her shoulders.
“No!” I jump down behind her as she coughs and splutters, sucking that filthy liquid into her mouth. “She can’t breathe. She can’t fucking breathe!”
Trying to keep up with them, I hoist her up, her skinny limbs wrap around my neck and waist.
“Let her go!” I scream.
I stop dead as he nears my face, a creepy smile on his.
“No, if she wants to piss and shit all over my property like an animal, she can sleep outside like one.”
His giant shoe moves beneath the water and catches me between the legs. I fall to the ground, having never experienced a pain like this one—a pain that steals the air right from my lungs.
Water splashes over my face as I struggle to pull my hands away from the area that causes me so much pain. I sink, sucking it in just like Dollie, who I’ve lost from my grip. Her cries ring loudly and painfully in my ears, echoing under the water as her body hits each wooden step.
Forcing myself up from the water, I choke out, “No, please, don’t!” My intention was to shout, but my words came out in a whisper. “Please don’t take her. Please don’t hurt her. Please!”
The door slams shut as I move forward, crouching and still holding where it hurts. I barely make it to the bottom of the steps.
“Dollie!” I’m louder this time. “Dollie, I’m so sorry.”
