sick I didn't understand what was happening until it
was almost too late."
"What do you mean by 'almost'?"
"The other two came into the room and..." "What room? I thought you said you were in a
car. April." she added when I was silent. "What
room?"
"David took us to his granddad's house because
his granddad is in the hospital. Luke took me to the
bedroom. He was taking off my clothes when Jenna
and David came to the door. David took a picture!" "The bastard." Brenda said.
"I had a chance to escape. and I ran out of the
house. They came after me. but I hid in the bushes,
and then everything else I told you was true.' "You should have told me it all. April. Celia
and I could have done something earlier."
"What can Celia do?"
"The bastards," she said instead of answering,
and then, after a moment, she turned and marched to
the door. She paused after opening it. "Never tell
Mama," she said, and left, closing the door behind
her. I stared after her in the dark, and then I turned
over again and buried my face in the pillow. A few
minutes later. I heard Brenda and Celia in the hallway.
I rose quickly and went to the door. They were
dressed in their jackets and heading for the front door.
I stepped out. Mama's bedroom door was closed. She
was probably asleep.
"Brenda!" I called after them in a loud whisper
just as she opened the front door. "Where are you
going? What are you going to do?"
"Just go back to bed. April. Go back to bed."