Chapter 3
Adam stared down at his mother.
“If my son is inside that machine, you have about one second to get out of my way.”
“Adam, listen to me.”
“Move.”
“You don’t understand what she’s done.”
Sophia cried from behind him.
“I didn’t do anything!”
Beatrice snapped her head around.
“You brought this into my house!”
Adam looked between them.
“What is she talking about?”
Sophia shook her head.
“I don’t know.”
Beatrice laughed once.
It was an ugly sound.
“You know exactly what I mean.”
The washer shook again.
That ended the argument.
Adam grabbed his mother by the shoulders and pulled her aside.
Beatrice fought him instantly.
She caught his sleeve.
“Don’t open it!”
He tore free.
The washing machine looked normal at first.
White front-loading door.
Chrome rim.
Digital control panel.
But the display was dark.
The power cord was unplugged.
Adam stared.
If the washer wasn’t running, why was it moving?
Then he saw the latch.
Someone had attached a small metal locking bracket to the door.
A brass padlock hung through it.
Adam turned.
“Where’s the key?”
Beatrice said nothing.
“Where is it?”
Her hand moved unconsciously toward the pocket of her cardigan.
May you like
Adam saw it.
He reached in and pulled out a key ring.
