The Hide and Seek Game That Lasted a Lifetime novel Chapter 4

Chapter 4

“Mom, please, I’ll be good. I won’t make you angry,” I pleaded, my voice trembling as my small shoulders shook uncontrollably. “Please… don’t leave me.”

My legs felt weak, like jelly, unable to support me under the weight of fear. But the wild intensity in Mom’s eyes was overwhelming—so fierce and unhinged it felt almost like a physical blow. I had no choice but to obey. Stumbling forward, I awkwardly crawled into the dark, cramped trunk of the car. A grimy, foul-smelling dog chain was fastened tightly around my neck, restricting my movement and pinning me to the confined space.

Mom’s fingers brushed gently against my cheek, a sharp contrast to the harshness of the chain. For the first time since this nightmare began, she smiled at me—a soft, almost tender smile. Her voice, too, was calm and soothing.

“Be a good girl, Chloe,” she whispered. “Mom just needs to borrow your life for a little while. Don’t be afraid…”

The car engine roared to life, its growl echoing through the rugged mountain road as the vehicle sped recklessly along the twisting path. The iron chain scraped harshly against my skin, cutting into me and leaving angry red marks that soon bled. Every jolt of the car slammed me against the hard sides of the trunk, bruises blossoming across my forehead with each impact.

“Mom, it hurts… Can you please stop for a moment?” I whimpered, my voice cracking with pain.

“Shut up! Just shut the hell up!” Mom screamed, her voice sharp and hysterical, dripping with venom. “I’m not your mother! You were never my daughter!”

“For eight long years, I’ve wanted to strangle you every single day! I wish I could tear you apart, break your bones, swallow you whole!”

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. I fell silent, staring blankly in her direction, my heart lurching violently in my chest.

“Why aren’t you saying anything, you little bitch? You must have been sent by that beast to torment me! That’s why I have to kill you!”

My fingers trembled as I lowered my gaze, nervously fidgeting with the blood-stained tips of my fingers.

Mom started dancing around excitedly, convinced the drugs were taking effect. Meanwhile, Dad stood silently, his expression calm and unreadable, like still, stagnant water.

But then, the sharp ring of the phone shattered the tense atmosphere. Mrs. Davies’ voice came through, trembling with terror.

“Sir, we’ve found the school bully who assaulted Madam!”

“But he says…” Dad began.

“He insists he never touched Madam. He claims it would have been impossible for her to have his child.”

The room fell into a chilling silence as the weight of those words sank in.