***
Cori must have been there always. Calling to Kate from the back of her brain and reminding Kate to never forget about her. Kate had no idea if Cori could sense her, but hoped in a way she could. It might be a comfort to know she’s with her and trying to get Cori away from that horrible man.
It was late afternoon in the basement. A minimal amount of light filtered through a few small windows. Most of the windows had boards on them and the light only came in through the cracks. The basement was as dismal looking as the rest of the house. Small puddles were scattered throughout the flooring. The moldy smell of the basement and the cloth around her mouth made it hard to breathe. Some old furniture and tools were arranged in piles. About a dozen large black garbage bags were placed along the perimeter.
Kate felt herself drifting in and out of Cori’s mind. She would see through her eyes for a few seconds and then feel disconnected from the girl. When she was in her head, Kate sensed Cori’s fear and discomfort. She was hungry and thirsty and could barely move into a relaxed position with the plastic zip-ties still in place around her wrists and ankles. She had no sense of time and wondered if the man had left her there to die. Her soiled clothing burned and irritated her skin. Cori heard the man upstairs from time to time yelling and blasting music, but he had yet to come back down to the basement.
The late afternoon sun didn’t last long and soon the basement was cast in shadows. Cori knew it would be pitch black again. Suddenly, the basement door swung open and she saw the outline of the man. Bright light from behind him irritated her eyes and she had to blink several times to get accustomed to it. She closed her eyes and wished she could simply disappear and be back home in her bed. His loud footsteps came down the steps.
He grabbed her roughly and lifted her off the floor. He pulled the cloth away from her mouth and before she could say a word, he threatened, “Scream and I’ll kill you.” Cori nodded and still kept her eyes shut. Brutally, he dropped her back onto the cement floor. “Here, you’re going to eat this.”
Cori opened her eyes and almost cried from relief. He held a couple of pieces of bread in his hand and a can of soda. Maybe he wouldn’t kill her after all. Why bother feeding her if he was only going to murder her soon? He shoved pieces of bread in her mouth and Cori chewed quickly. Before her hunger could be sated, the bread was gone. Since she could not move, he held the soda up to her mouth and let her drink. She choked on the soda several times, but finally managed to keep it down by slowing down her gulps.
Cori was terrified, but couldn’t help but beg for her freedom. While keeping her head facing the floor, she moaned, “I want to go home.”
“You’re not going anywhere until I get my money. Your family is gonna pay me a lot if they want you back in one piece.” He spat on the floor in front of her. Although he sounded tough, his hands were trembling. It was uncertain whether it was from nerves or from some type of withdrawal from drugs.
“Did you ask my daddy for it? I know he’ll give anything to have me home,” she cried.
“Listen brat, I’m trying to figure it all out. As long as your piece of shit dad gives me what I want, I’ll let you go.”
Cori had no idea if he was telling the truth, but it gave her hope. Even though he was menacing, he hadn’t laid a finger on her since throwing her down in the basement. If it was money he was after, she knew her family had plenty of it. She dared a look at him as she lifted her head up slowly to meet his gaze. Although it was dusk she managed to clearly make out his face…
First Visions: Second Sight Book One Page 24
