For a Little While (One Strike Away Book 1)
Page 22
Ryder always made things right. He brushed Zoe's hair without pulling too hard and made the best peanut butter sandwiches ever. He knew how to tie her shoes and always held her hand when they left the apartment. He never scolded. She loved Ryder more than anything in the whole world—even her teddy bear.
It seemed like Zoe's friends were afraid of everything. Spiders. The dark. And something they called the boogeyman. She didn't know who that was, but she knew he wouldn't frighten her. Nothing scared Zoe. Except the Monster.
The music brought the Monster. Deep asleep, Zoe never heard it, but Ryder always did.
"Shh," he urged, waking her up with a gentle shake. Before she could complain, he would put a finger to Zoe's lips. "Hear that?"
Counting flowers on the wall, that don't bother me at all.
The sound was faint, but Zoe could hear the words through the thin apartment walls. When she was a little girl—a whole year ago when she was three—she thought the music sounded happy. Now that she was grown up, she had figured out that the song made Ryder sad. He was sad for a long time after it finally stopped playing. She might not understand the reasons, but Zoe knew one thing. If her big brother didn't like it, neither did she.
"Do you have your teddy?" Ryder would ask.
Zoe nodded, she always slept with teddy. Ryder would take her hand. He had her crawl under the bed, way in back to the farthest corner, before tucking a blanket around her.
"Remember the invisible game?" Ryder whispered. "You have to stay right here, Zoe. Curl up in a little ball, don't make a sound, hold on to teddy, and keep the blanket tight. The Monster can't see you if you follow the rules. He won't know you're here."
"I remember," Zoe whispered back. She knew it was part of the game. But she didn't like it. She didn't want to play by herself. "Stay with me."
"Shh." A loud thump from the other room made Ryder hurriedly look over his shoulder. "You know I'll be back."
"But—"
The bedroom door slammed open, making Zoe jump, the squeak she let out muffled by Ryder's hand.
"I need my little boy." The Monster's voice was sing-songy, and though the words were slurred, they were unmistakable.
"I'll always come back for you, Zoe. Always. Now close your eyes. Please?"
Reluctantly, Zoe scrunched her eyes tight.
"There he is." Zoe knew she wasn't supposed to, but she couldn't help peeking. The Monster grabbed Ryder's arm, jerking him from under the bed. "Come keep Daddy company."
With a silent sob, Zoe shut her eyes. Daddy. She never thought of the Monster that way. He was rarely around. Ryder made certain Zoe had something to eat. They would play games or watch something on the television. After she brushed her teeth, her big brother would tuck her in, reading her a story. Zoe liked it when it was just the two of them.
On the few occasions when the Monster spent the evening in the apartment, Ryder made her stay in the bedroom, quietly playing by herself.
The song grew louder. Zoe pressed her hands to her ears, unable to block out the noise or the sound of Ryder crying out. She knew there would be boo boos on his arms in the morning. Dark spots he tried to hide under an old, ripped shirt that was way too big, the sleeves hanging past the ends of his fingers.
Why won't the Monster stop? Furiously, Zoe wiped the tears from her cheeks, clutching her teddy bear close. Humming a nonsensical tune, in her head she recited Ryder's words over and over, drifting into a deep but troubled sleep.
You are invisible. I'll always come back for you. You are invisible. I'll always come back for you. You are invisible. I'll always come back for you.
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