Read Online In Control (The City Series) by Crystal Serowka - Free Book Online Page B

you—”
    Mr. Henderson’s hand collided against my cheek so hard that I ended up falling backward onto the bathroom tile. I looked at the floor, cradling my cheek and willing myself not to cry. He kneeled in front of me, waiting for me to look up at him. When I finally did, he spoke, his words coated with venom.
    “If you ever talk to me like that again, you’ll sleep outside with the animals.”
    He pushed me out of the way, slamming the bathroom door against my back. Still holding my cheek, I rose to my feet just as Andrew ran up the stairs.
    Andrew was my favorite of all the children in the house. He was the only one under our roof that asked me to play with him and the only one that gave me any sort of affection.
    The moment Andrew saw me, he stopped in his tracks. His face was all chubby cheeks and big green eyes. He was only six, so his world was still filled with rainbows and happily ever afters.
    “Kingsley?” His eyes moved over my face. “Why are you sitting on the floor? What’s wrong with your face?” Andrew sat down in front of me and crossed his legs. With his tiny fingers, he touched my hand.
    “I’m okay, Drew. I just fell.” I took his hand in mine and squeezed it, hoping to ease his worry.
    “Your face!” Andrew’s hand shot up to my cheek. “It’s all red!”
    “Drew, shhh,” I whispered, knowing Mr. Henderson was near. “I’m fine, I just hurt myself. See?” I pretended to slap my cheek, mustering a smile even though I could feel my eyes gloss over with tears. I counted to ten in my head, breathing in deeply with each number.
    “Daddy did that, didn’t he?” Andrew’s bottom lip jutted out. His cheeks turned a bright pink as his eyes became glossy.
    A tear trickled down my cheek without my permission. I had never once cried in front of anyone, but when I saw how sad Andrew was on my account, I wasn’t able to stop myself.
    I was about to tell the truth when Mr. Henderson swung open the bathroom door. He stared down at us like we had just stolen the most precious item he owned. Andrew shot up, looking from me to Mr. Henderson, and without saying another word, ran into his bedroom and shut the door. I clenched my teeth, fearing the worst.
    “What did you tell Andrew?” Mr. Henderson shouted. He bent down, grabbing me by my arm and yanking me upward.
    “I-I didn’t tell him anything,” I fumbled. “I-I told him I hurt myself. I promise.”
    Mr. Henderson grabbed onto my robe, his liquored breath filling the air around us. “Go to your room, Kingsley. I’ll be down later to teach you a lesson.”
    The moment he walked away, I sucked too much air into my lungs, unable to stop myself from hyperventilating. I was shaking from head to toe, but I couldn’t stay in that spot. I couldn’t risk being seen again. If another one of the kids found me, I’d be doomed.
    I shut the door to the basement, wishing there was a way to lock it; a way to keep Mr. Henderson out. I searched through the countless boxes that filled most of the basement, looking for anything that could keep the door from being opened, even though I knew there was nothing in this world that could keep me safe from him.
    The sheets on my bed sheltered me as I watched the sun disappear from view. I’d made a point to stay in bed all day, not wanting to get into any more trouble. It was getting late, and Mr. Henderson hadn’t made an appearance. He’d never been down in the basement. He’d never shown any interest in talking to me. His wife was always the one that hit me or yelled at me, but now I realized that this whole time, he was the one I should fear the most.
    After a while, I stopped hearing footsteps upstairs. The children’s laughter had died down, and all I heard was the news blaring from the living room TV. Mr. Henderson must have forgotten about me. He must be out getting drunk. Relief washed over me, and my tired eyes finally closed.
    I felt a draft hit my skin and tried wrapping the sheet tighter