“Kate,” Ben said, “there’s something you need to see.”
“Ben, you know your dad said we can’t go down there. It’s off-limits.”
“Dad’s not here. Just come. Please.”
His urgency shook me. “Alright, but we have to be quick.”
We tiptoed to the basement door. My heart pounded as I turned the knob. It was dark and cold, and I could smell something musty.
Ben flipped on the light. “Hurry.”
I followed him, and what I saw made my blood run cold. The walls were plastered with photos of Linda. Hundreds of them. Linda at the grocery store, Linda reading a book, Linda asleep.
“What the…?” I whispered.
Ben tugged my sleeve. “I told you it was important.”
I grabbed my phone and dialed Linda. “You need to come home. Now.”
Linda arrived twenty minutes later, pale and drawn. She stepped into the basement and gasped.
“Oh my God…” she whispered, tears filling her eyes. “He’s been… watching me?”
“We need to get out of here. This isn’t safe.”
With my help, Linda and Ben packed their things the next day. The relief on Ben’s face was heartbreaking. They deserved better. They both did.
