Chapter Ten
I make my way down the stairs and out the back door as quietly as I can.
I haven’t been able to fall asleep and sometimes the midnight moon is the light to work by.
I take a deep breath as I reach down and grab yet another root by the oubliette and get a firm grip around it. With a grunt, I start twisting and pulling at the damn thing, trying to pull it free.
I never realized how badly upkept the landscaping was around this thing until I came out one night to visit Darby and damn near tripped over one.
Lucky for me, the gate was closed firmly over the top of the entrance, or I would have taken my own tumble down into the darkness.
But considering it’s still currently occupied, no thanks to the girl, there’s no room for anyone else right now.
Which reminds me.
I let go of the root and reach for the gate, ready to close it over the top of the oubliette when I catch a glimpse of what’s left of her at the bottom of the pit.
I glance up at the midnight moon, then back down at Darby before I look at my home.
All of the lights on the main floor are off which means those damn kids are probably still asleep.
And for the slightest moment, I find myself wondering if I should go down there and gather up Darby’s remains and take them out into the clearing myself.
With a scoff, I shake my head and pull the gate over the top.
I can’t be easy on these kids.
I gave Skylar the responsibility and if I do it for her, then she’ll never learn.
I roll my shoulders as I let out a sigh and go back to work on the root.
Eventually, I’ll get them all out of there.
Every single last one of them.
* * *
The hot torrent of water that rushes down my back feels good on my aching muscles.
I spent a better part of the night into the early morning hours pulling out as many roots as I could.
It pisses me off that they were still asleep when I came inside. I would have expected they would have at least started their damn morning chores, but I shouldn’t be surprised.
They’re worthless.
That’s the lot I got handed in life, and I have to make do with it.
At least I was a good son.
I did everything Taylee couldn’t and more. There just came a time when it got to be too much, and I sometimes find myself missing the bitch.
She would have known how to get these kids in order.
And anyone that didn’t fall in line would be part of her little late night prayer sessions.
I turn around and lean my head back in the shower, pushing my wet hair out of my face.
One more painful rotation of my shoulder and I reach for the bar of soap. But as soon as I start rubbing it across my body, I can see her again.