Chapter 45: NOW - The Safe Room

Peter returns to the living room, and I begin to wonder if it worked or not. Did I bring him just one step closer to opening that door? Maybe I’m not what he hoped for. How would that work? If he thinks I’m old and ugly now, would he move on and let me go? What would he do with Sophie?

My attention turns to Emily and Sophie sitting together in the living room. Since Emily showed her true colours, she hasn’t been as sweet and eager to please as she was during the power cut. She hasn’t been as doting to Sophie either. But she does tend to stay close to her, and I notice her turn and gaze at my daughter with something that seems like longing. I wish I could figure out more about Emily’s background. I think I understand her in a general sense, but there has to be more to her story.

Sophie herself never relaxes. There are moments where she smiles at Peter or Emily, but then I see her folding her legs like she needs to pee, and an expression of concern comes over her face. Or there are times when she gazes at the door as though she’s contemplating running away. That scares me. I want Sophie safe and away from here, but I don’t want her to be caught and punished.

All of a sudden, Sophie begins to cry.

Her tears go unnoticed at first. She lifts her knees up to her chin and hugs them, crying into her legs.

I touch the screen. “My sweet girl. Please be okay. Please be okay.”

Her quiet tears soon become wracking, childlike sobs. I’m on my feet, pacing the room. What am I supposed to do when my heart is outside my body like this? Watching her break in two?

Emily finally notices. “What’s the matter, Sophie?”

“I want my mummy!” she wails.

I brush tears away from my cheeks and place my fingers on the screen again. “I’m right here, baby.”

“You don’t need your mummy. You have me.” Emily tries to wrap her arms around her but Sophie screams, kicks out and runs off the sofa.

“Run,” I whisper. “Come on, sweetheart. Get out of there.”

I can’t help it. I know it’s dangerous, but I can’t help but root for her.

Fat tears trickle down my face as I watch her dash out of the room and into the corridor. Peter and Emily are on their feet, giving chase, but Sophie is quick.

“Find the keys, baby. Find the keys,” I mutter.

Sophie goes straight to the bowl on the shoe counter, but I can tell it’s empty. They’ve locked the door and stolen the house key. In a panic, Sophie runs towards the stairs, but Peter grabs her by the waist.

“Don’t hurt her!” I scream, slamming my palm into the wall. “Don’t you fucking hurt her!”

I want to look away but I can’t. My hands ball into fists.

“Get off me!” Sophie screams.

The feed judders and lags. I almost slam my fist into the screen in frustration.

Sophie is writhing in his grip, kicking out her legs. But Peter is stronger and he gets her under control quickly. I watch in horror as he heaves her back into the living room.

“That isn’t very polite behaviour, is it?” he says.

“Get off me! I want Mummy!”

When Peter puts Sophie over his knee, I place my hand over my mouth.

“No,” I whimper.

He grabs hold of Sophie’s hair and tugs it. As she yelps, I punch the wall, not feeling the pain. This is the tipping point. Once he’s hurt her once he can do it again and again. He’s giving up on the good dad routine. I reach up to my hairline and pull at the greasy roots, yanking several strands from my scalp.

“Now, little Miss.” He lifts up her skirt but doesn’t remove her tights. “Unfortunately, when you do something naughty, you have to be punished. It won’t be that bad. But as my father always said, actions have consequences.” He raises his palm and brings it down onto her backside.

I can’t watch. I move over to the door and pound on it with my fists, screaming at the top of my lungs.

“Don’t hurt my baby! Don’t hurt my baby! I’m going to fucking kill you!”

The sound of his blow echoes in my ears.

I go back to the screen to see my daughter red-faced and silent, sitting between Peter and Emily on the sofa.

It’s over. Thank God it’s over. But now that Peter has crossed the line, what else will he do to her before I can get out?