as my father pushed me into my bedroom. "All those years, pr

is voice a low growl. "She won't be hur

key turning in the lock. A heavy piece of furniture w

isoner in

The window looked out over the backyard, towards the shed wh

it happen aga

. I had to call the polic

oset rod used for hanging clothes. It was flimsy, but it might be lon

bbled a desperate message: "HELP. PARENTS

fully, I pushed open my window, the old frame groaning in protest. Mrs

p it against their window pane. I

ching as far as I could. The rod wobbled, and the no

u think you

n the doorway, my mother right behin

e closet rod in my hand. H

and ripped the r

snarled. "Trying to r

e raised the metal rod and brou

hrough me. I cried out and st

betray us again," he s

, her eyes wide with fake conce

pe, honey," my mother s

In the last life, she also tried to escape right before she ruined everything. Y

y father' s grip on the rod tightened. He