“Hi there,” I say softly when I stop in front of her.
She stares up at me with crystal blue eyes and that dark hair that flows around her body. She’s wearing a simple blouse and a long skirt that touches the ground. Beneath the blouse, she has on a long white shirt. Basically all her skin, except that of her hands and face, is covered. She looks scared, weary, and definitely confused.
“My name is Lucy. I know you don’t know who I am, but I know who you are.”
Her lips part slightly.
“I just wanted to see if you’re okay.”
Her eyes flash, and she looks around nervously again.
“Is someone looking for you?” I prompt carefully.
Her eyes dart back to mine, and she looks so afraid. “I don’t know you,” she says softly. “Please go away.”
“I know you don’t know me, but I know you. I’ve seen you before. I know . . . I know what’s happening to you.”
Her eyes get big, like saucers, and she stumbles backwards a few steps.
“I’m not here to hurt you,” I say carefully. “I just want to help. You don’t deserve what’s happening to you in there. I can help . . .”
Her bottom lip trembles.
“What’s your name?” I ask, extending my hand.
“H-H-H-Hayley.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Hayley.”
She rubs her upper arms, fidgeting nervously.
“Are you lost?”
“No,” she whispers. “I ran away.”
“Do you need me to help you get somewhere?”
She shakes her head. “They’ll be here any second; I can’t run. I can never get far enough.”
“Hayley,” I say, stepping closer. “You can. I can help you. The police can help you. What they’re doing is wrong, and—”
“No.” she cries, eyes darting around the crowded mall. “No police. No. He says no police.”
“Who says that?” I whisper, trying not to freak her out more than I already have.
“I can’t talk anymore,” she says, her voice so soft I barely hear it.
“Let me get you out of this, Hayley. Please. I can help you.”
“Nobody can help me.”
“Hayley!”
The cool bark of a voice has me turning and staring at the man striding towards us. He wears a white button-up shirt with a pair of black slacks. His hair is graying, and I recognize him as the man Hayley was handed to when I watched whatever sick ritual they had going that night. He’s older than I’d thought, and my blood runs cold.
“It’s time to go,” he says, stepping up next to her, keeping his eyes on me.
My skin prickles. He makes me feel sick with just one look.
“I was just l-l-lost and asked this nice lady for help,” Hayley whispers, keeping her face to the floor.
“Then thank you for helping her,” the man says, holding my glare.
“You won’t get away with this,” I spit.
He keeps his cool demeanor. “I’m not sure what you’re speaking of, but thank you for helping out my daughter here.”
“She’s not your daughter, and we both know it. You sick bastard!” I screech.
“Let’s go, Hayley,” he says, directing her with a hand to her upper arm.
“Let her go!” I cry, rushing after them. “You let her go, you dirty bastard!”
Security comes out, placing a hand on my arm. “Miss, please calm down!”
“You can’t let her go with him. He’s a pervert. A dirty creep.”
The man looks to the officer. “I’m sorry, my daughter and I were just shopping and this girl came out of nowhere. I think she’s confused.”
“Miss, is this your father?” the security guard asks Hayley.
“Tell them the truth, Hayley,” I plead. “They can help you.”
“He’s my father,” she says, her eyes going anywhere but near mine.
“She has to say that!” I cry as the officer pulls me away. “Please!”
“Thank you, Officer,” Creep says, glaring at me before disappearing with Hayley.
“Don’t let them go!” I scream.
The security guard jerks me into a quiet hall. “Calm down or I’ll be forced to call the police.”
No. No police. I’ve had enough police. They do nothing but lie to me.
He’s staring at me, and I know I have to play this one cool or I’m not getting out of here. I press a hand to my heart. “I’m sorry, I must have been confused. I recently lost my sister to a horrible man. I thought that was him.”
His face softens just slightly. “I’m sorry to hear that, but you can’t run around in malls yelling at people.”
I nod, looking up at him through my lashes. “I’m sorry.”
“I think you need to go home before any more drama is caused.”
I nod. “Sorry, sir.”
He nods, and I disappear back into the mall. I head in the direction the man took Hayley, but I run in circle for a solid hour. They’re gone. Frustrated, angry, and desperate, I go out to my car and drive home. I think about her the entire time. She was so scared. So alone. Someone has to help her—she’s trapped.
I can’t let this go on.
I have to do something.
CHAPTER 12