Chapter 4
At 8:45 she wiped island. Sprayed cleaner. Marble shone under bright light. At 9:02 she walked to fridge, tested padlock again, then turned kitchen light off except under-cabinet strip.
I stood at doorway with glass of tap water. Hadn't eaten since noon. Yogurt, apples, deli turkey all behind chain.
"Kitchen closed," Diane said without looking. "You can use water. Nothing else."
Fridge hummed. Light inside stayed dark, locked away.
"I bought half that food," I said.
"You bought groceries for house," she said. "House runs my way."
Tyler sat at living room couch, TV muted, eyes flicking between us. Didn't stand.
May you like
"Jenna, just wait morning," he said.
I went to bedroom. Closed door. Stomach growled. Mouth tasted sour. I drank water and stared at closet where bag sat empty. Didn't pack. Not yet. Promise was to document first, act second.
