The Missing- Volume II- Lies by A. Meredith Walters, A. M. Irvin Read Free Book Online Page A

tell him that with the surety that he never would. I wouldn’t lose him because as long as I stayed, so would he.
    “Not as long as you’re here,” Bradley answered, turning to look at me. Taking in all of my face. The horrible, hated scars. The ones on my skin and the ones hidden away. He saw them all.
    I saw something in his green eyes that made me pause. Something that looked a lot like . . . hate.
    Did Bradley despise me? Deep down? I shuddered and wanted to cry at the thought.
    Not Bradley.
    My Bradley.
    “I don’t want to keep you here. Not with everything you’ve been through—”
    Bradley wrapped his hand around my wrist and squeezed hard, silencing me. “Stop it, Nora. Don’t mention it. Ever.”
    My skin throbbed underneath his fingers. If he pressed a little harder, maybe he could break me. Could shatter me. It’s what he wanted.
    We sat in the dirty, dark room. Together. He held me viciously. I let him. We were silent. We were miserable.
    Together.
    “You don’t need anyone else. Neither do I. We never have,” he whispered.
    He wouldn’t allow me to give my heart away. Not to anyone.
    Least of all to Maren Digby.
    But it wasn’t his choice. This time I was making the decisions for myself.
    “I wonder if Maren will come here?” I mused.
    Bradley stared at me for a long time. I knew what he was thinking. And I knew how he was feeling.
    Fear.
    Loss of control.
    Rage. Rage. Rage.
    He let go of my arm and all but shoved me away. I almost fell over. He got to his feet and stomped out of the room that had once held my only joy. His anger fueled his footsteps as they receded down the hallway.
    He left.
    But he’d be back. Bradley would never be able to leave me.
    Right?
    I didn’t quite believe myself.

The Past
    Four Months Ago
     
    I sat in the sunshine and felt warm all over. It was a good day.
    So far.
    Mother and Rosie were long gone by the time I got up this morning. So I had two hours all to myself. I ended up having to walk to school, which took almost an hour, but I was okay with that.
    Anything was better than having to endure my typical morning routine of snide comments and open ridicule. I took extra time with my hair, smoothing it down so that it lay nicely over my shoulders.
    I chose my outfit with care. When I dressed I didn’t feel like ugly, ugly Nora Gilbert. I felt like someone better. Someone prettier. Someone others could love.
    I covered the scar above my lip and then promptly washed the makeup off. I scrubbed my face until it was red and shiny. I was tired of covering up. Of hiding.
    What was the point?
    Bradley had been waiting for me when I arrived on campus. After how things were left at the barn, I wasn’t sure I’d see him. I should have known better though. I could always depend on him.
    My constant.
    My Bradley.
    And things were almost normal between us. We didn’t really talk, but he walked me to class. And the not talking was the most comforting thing he could offer.
    Now I was sitting with Maren. Under her tree, listening to her music. Some people gathered around to hear her, and she was sweet and kind to everyone.
    But most of all to me.
    I didn’t understand this need to be around her. It was instinctual. Felt in the gut. But it overtook everything. It made me blind and deaf to anything that wasn’t Maren Digby.
    “Your eyes look blue today,” Maren mused, giving me a smile. I lived my days around the prospect of those smiles.
    I ducked my head shyly. “Sometimes they change colors. Usually depending on my mood,” I told her.
    Maren ran her fingers along the strings of her instrument humming under her breath. “And what does the color blue say about your mood?”
    I looked up at her through my lashes. “It means I’m excited. Happy. Content.”
    Maren continued to smile, never faltering. I wished she would give me the attention she gave to her guitar. It was silly to be jealous of an inanimate object, but I was.
    I wanted to smash the shiny piece of wood