chapter 31

Joan’s POV

At first, I thought it was a prank when he held my hands and insisted that I don’t tell my family all that was happening here, until he pulled me up the bad stairs with a smiley face, took my phone, and then locked me out.

I have been here for a couple of hours without hearing a sound; I didn’t see his mother or any treatment like I was promised; I had banged on the door; then it was soundproof; nothing happened; no one came; I had no means of going out; and it made me think of so many bad things.

I had known Isaac to be calm, sweet, and always quick to apologize; he must have a reason to lock me in here. I gave myself reasons to sit and wait till he came, till minutes turned to hours and shouts became like centuries.

The sun was up, so was anxiety; it was already afternoon, and he wasn’t back. All through the day, I saw Jones holding Mom by the neck. I couldn’t stay away from the house; he would kill her. What was I thinking when I ran?

I needed to leave; I couldn’t be con