“I need to know if they’re okay,” I repeated.

Growl nodded. “I took the dogs on a long walk this morning, so it’s enough if you let them out into the yard around noon. I’ll take them for a walk when I’m back,” he said, then added, “Don’t try anything. It won’t do you or anyone else any good.” He gave me an expectant look until I finally nodded, before he walked out and closed the door. A moment later I heard the sound of the lock and I was alone.

I approached the door, listening for the sound of his car driving away. Then I hesitated again. Perhaps this was a trick? Perhaps he just wanted to see if I’d try to run if given the chance. Perhaps he was even eager for a chance to punish me?

I blew out a breath and walked back into the kitchen, trying to ignore the dogs; they had returned to their blankets. There were no curtains in the house, so I had a clear view toward the driveway. Growl’s car was gone, but I still couldn’t believe that he’d actually left me to myself. My eyes began scanning the neighborhood for something out of the ordinary, but for me everything was. This area was born out of misery.

An old man sat on his porch across the street. He was watching me, or at least Growl’s house. Had Growl paid him to keep an eye on the front door?

I backed away from the window and hurried to the back door that led out into the garden. When I put the handle down, it opened. Growl hadn’t locked it. Since that man was too vigilant to leave his door unlocked by accident, this was either a trap or he knew I couldn’t escape even if I tried. Both dogs appeared at my side, startling me. But they weren’t interested in me. Instead they stormed into the garden and started chasing each other. I stepped outside and took a close look around. The only way to get over the high fence was if I used a chair or table to climb over it.

Since the kitchen was devoid of any such luxury as chairs, the garden furniture was my only option. Though the table didn’t look stable enough to hold my weight, and the chairs were too low to give me a sufficient height advantage. When I tried to move the chairs, however, they wouldn’t budge. I glanced at the ground and found them bolted to the concrete porch. Had Growl done that? But when? Last night while I was sleeping? I let out a sharp laugh, and sank down on one of the chairs. I couldn’t stop laughing. The dogs stopped their game of chase and watched me, obviously unsettled by my laughter. I even scared myself with the sound. Every piece of furniture, even a weight bench, was bolted to the ground.

I fell silent and closed my eyes, then slowly let my head fall forward until it rested on my legs. I let the images from last night assault me, hoped that reliving them again would stop them from haunting me. It would take time, I knew that. Perhaps the horror would never go away.

Talia. Mother. What were they doing now?

I had no way to reach them, no way to tell them I was okay and to be strong. Maybe this was the worst, worse even than being Growl’s prisoner. Something nudged my neck and I raised my head to find Coco standing very close to me, her warm dog breath ghosting over my face. At first I was afraid, but then I realized the dog was trying to console me. I didn’t move, worried I’d startle her if I did. “Thank you,” I whispered, though I felt silly talking to a dog. Coco trotted off to where Bandit was scratching at a spot near the fence.

I rose from the chair and glanced around once more, then moved closer to the fence for another check, but with the barbwire at the top, there was no way I could get over it. And what would I even do if I got over it? Where would I go? I had no money, no ID, no mobile. Nothing. I had nothing. And there wasn’t even someone I could run to. Father’s parents had died when I was little and he didn’t have any siblings, and Mother… Mother had never talked about her family. I supposed she’d run off to marry Father. Trish and Anastasia were out of the question as well. Their parents were loyal to Falcone. The moment they saw me, I’d be handed back to Growl.

I was completely alone until I found my mother and sister, and there was no way I could do it without Growl’s help. I had no choice but to figure out a way to turn Growl to my side.

The couple started screaming at each other again. This area was so depressing, I wasn’t sure how anyone could live here by choice. But most people probably didn’t have a choice.

I headed back into the house before my mood could go on a further downward spiral. The dogs were still busy near the fence.

“Bandit, Coco, come here!” I called, and surprisingly they both obeyed my command without hesitation and ran inside. I closed the door and with a deep breath, turned around to face the house. It was bleak and almost felt like an enemy in itself. No decorations, no cozy furniture. This place was only meant for the barest needs. I took a look into the fridge but except for a carton of eggs and a few cans of Coke, that too was empty. I considered preparing an omelet, though I’d only done that once before. I wasn’t really hungry anyway.

I returned to the living room and sank down on the sofa. A spring dug into my butt and the old thing squeaked under my weight. I’d never had to watch TV all day. I’d always been busy with school, friends and hobbies. I leaned back slowly. The only other items in the room were a TV, a TV board, which looked like Growl had found it on the side of the street, and a small table. There weren’t any cabinets, pictures or anything else. Growl couldn’t possibly spend a lot of time here.

I needed to figure out a way to get out of here as fast as possible.

I grabbed the remote from the table and turned the TV on. I zapped through the many channels, but there was nothing even remotely interesting on. I put the remote back down, letting the nature channel run in the background as I got back up to discover the remaining rooms, but I’d pretty much seen them all already. There was the bathroom, my room and Growl’s. He hadn’t locked it despite the weapons decorating his walls.

There wasn’t even a single book in the house. Nor did I see a computer anywhere.

Frustrated, I settled back on the sofa and left with nothing else to do, I eventually fell asleep again.

The sound of the lock woke me and I jerked upright. Goose bumps covered my skin. The AC was simply turned too cold. I searched the room for a clock, but even that was missing.

It was still light outside, so I knew, at least, that it wasn’t night.

The dogs yapped happily, and then Growl’s steps sounded. He appeared in the doorway, scanning the room quickly before giving me a once-over.

“Everything okay?” he asked suspiciously.

“No,” I said. What a stupid question.

Growl held up a milk carton. “For your coffee.”

My lips parted. “Uh, thanks?”

We stared at each other. He seemed as unsure about the situation as I was. I began rubbing some warmth into my arms. “Cold?”

I nodded. He went away and the AC stopped blowing cold air into the room. Why was he being this way? It made me suspicious of his motives.

“Any news?” I asked when he came back.

His expression tightened. He turned around and headed down the corridor toward the kitchen. I pushed off the sofa to rush after him. He stood in front of the open fridge. “You haven’t eaten anything.”

Was he daft? “I’m not hungry.” That was a lie. “What about my question? You met with Falcone—did he say something about my mother or sister?”