They weren’t her parents, but an aunt and uncle, all she had left, is how she described it. She was left in their care after an accident took both her parents last year. She was two years older than me, and I was surprised. I expected her to be at least two years younger. She’d been pulled out of her 7th grade class last year, and had been homeschooled ever since.

It was how she found the families terrible secret. Then soon after, they brought her in to the folds, as a human slave. She was told to do despicable things because of them and their habits, but she wanted to repent. Which is why she was telling someone now.

I was absolutely in shock hearing all this, and on the cusp of believing her, until I really thought about it. In my mind she was obviously bored and needed an imaginary outlet, or a friend. I wasn’t much, but I listened to her, thinking about the proof she mentioned. The last thing she mentioned to me was her name. It was Maxine, but she went by Max.

After sneaking back into my room, Images of Max crying stirred a dormant feeling, a hurt inside my chest. I didn’t understand her, but I felt I wanted to. Those emerald eyes wet and pregnant with emotions. I found it hard to get rest after the whole ordeal.

Mom didn’t ask any questions about where I was headed. Only asked me to be careful when she saw that I had a tape in my hand, ready to return.

The church was less menacing in the day time, although the gate was still wrapped eerily in dead vines. There was an older black car, parked crookedly in driveway, that wasn’t here last time. I attempted to spot Max in the yard or a window, before remembering specific instructions she left me. Which were to use the same passage way, then creep towards the front door, and listen near the left window. She was specific about it being at or just after 6pm. I was still unsure on what kind of proof I could possibly get by listening, but I wanted to believe her, so I trusted her process.

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The closer I was to the house the more pronounced the smell of mildew struck me. It was a minute before 6pm, and I was crouched below the lower window on the left, right next to the front steps. I calmed my breathing, not wanting to give away my being here, because of cloudy breaths. Time was coming and going, yet there was no proof. Nothing was happening. I thought that maybe she meant the window in the shed, when I heard a loud crash and glass shattering. Followed by low muttering and the sound of footsteps.

“Let me go.” Each word came out rougher than the other. More footsteps clattered among each other, while a muffled scream filled the air.

“Maxey, hold her tight, she cant escape this time.”

A man’s voice demanded.

My breaths were becoming ragged while I listened. So, I kept my head down and away, all the time listening in. A piercing yell startled me, and I almost tipped over into the houses foundation. Keeping my balance, I covered my mouth, terrified to make a noise.

“Don’t, please, I’m begging don’t do this, please stop, god save me, please stop, save me god, save me. Holy father save me.”

I gripped my mouth harder afraid to even move. More muffled screams, followed by grunts and commands coming from the man kept me frozen against the houses foundation. Looking up, still deathly afraid to move any amount. I waited for anyone to spot the nosy visitor listening to a crime happening. Nothing happened. There was only the deafening silence to displace my thoughts.

A thump startled me back into action, as I crept away from the foundation. Whispers and foot steps retreating gave me the heads up to attempt to make a run for it. I pushed up and away, trying to swallow and a failed attempt for air. Midway through the yard, a loud sound behind me made me jump and turn. Before I could see that it was the shed, inside the window where I fled from under was Max. Looming over the yard, the drapes pulled up to her neck exposing only her face. In a panic, I tripped over myself and fell backwards, as she mouthed a single word to me. The look she wore was menacing, and even more alarming was the blood seeping from the edge of her lip. Pushing myself up, I ran, never looking back again. It wasn’t until I was home that I thought about what I witnessed, and that single word she mouthed.

Tonight.