Keeping Hope (Broken Girl Series) by Rachael Tonks Read Free Book Online Page A

isn’t going to be easy.
    I lay on the bed until I hear the familiar, gentle taps on the wall. I jump up with anticipation, leaning against the wall.
    “Hi, Hope,” I whisper.
    “Hey,” she replies. Her simple comment is unusual. Normally she has a lot more to say for herself.
    “Are you okay?” I ask, wondering what is causing her to be so quiet.
    “I’m scared,” she whimpers.
    “Me too, Hope, but we have to stay strong. Okay, sweetie?”
    “I guess,” she replies unconvincingly.
    “I’ve just had something to eat. Have you eaten?” I need to get her to talk.
    “I couldn’t eat it all. Master shouted at me.”
    I throw my hand over my mouth as a small gasp escapes. He had her calling him Master. I swallow down hard, trying to expel the bile that rises. He’s grooming her. I know this from experience.
    “He’s told you to call him Master?” I question.
    “Yes, he’s told me I have to. He says it’s because I’m special. He says all these nice things to me, but I know he just wants to hurt me. I can tell. I don’t want him to hurt me. I don’t want to be here. I miss my mommy,” she sobs.
    I need to find out more about Hope. Where she came from. How she got here. Knowing that about Hope might help fill the blanks from my own childhood. I have no memory of my parents.
    Christopher always told me I was an orphan and my parents died when I was just a baby. I have no idea who they were or where they came from. But Hope knows who her mom is.
    “Do you remember where you lived before you came here? Or who you lived with?” I question with a soft tone to my voice.
    “I lived with my mommy, but she was hardly ever at home. When she was, she always had a lot of people coming in and out. She used to shout at me a lot, but I knew she didn’t mean it. She would always say she was sorry.” I hear her gentle sobs through the wall.
    “I know this is really hard for you, Hope, but remember what we said about Christopher? He can’t know about our little chats. You know he will be very angry with both of us if he finds out, so we need to try and stay quiet. Okay, sweetie?”
    “I’m sorry,” she sniffles.
    “Don’t apologize, Hope. I’m just trying to make sure neither of us gets into any more trouble, okay?”
    “Okay,” she murmurs in agreement.
    “Do you know what happened to your mommy?”
    “She went and never came back. That’s when one of my mommy’s friends brought me here. He said they would look after me and I would like it here, but I don’t like it here. I mean I like you, Kennedy, but everyone else is mean to me.”
    “That’s why we need to stick together. We need to get out of here, but we have to be very careful about it. Do you know where Christopher keeps the keys to my door, Hope?”
    “I’m not sure. I sometimes see them on the nightstand when he sleeps at night.”
    I contemplate the information, wondering how I can use this as a way of escaping. Involving Hope would be risky if the plan didn’t work.
     
    Cole
     
    We sit, mesmerized in horror as Chuck relives the story of his search for Sara. We are completely silent as he tells us how he gave up and turned to the biker life, trying to escape the pain of never finding his daughter. It’s odd how the tragedy of these circumstances can bring people together. Never did I expect to be sitting here, discussing my situation with the scariest looking dude I have ever seen, but that’s exactly where I find myself.
    “If you guys want any help trying to find your girlfriend just say the word. Me and my boys will be more than happy to go on the search with you.”
    My eyes widen spontaneously at his suggestion.
    “I’m serious, Cole. If you don’t try you may never find her. Please don’t live every day with the regret of never trying,” he speaks out solemnly.
    “You couldn’t have done anymore to try and find your daughter,” I reassure.
    “I was too late, boy. I left it too late. It’s my biggest regret! I lost