Chapter 2

How desperate had I been?

To keep from being locked in the cellar again, I learned to give in. I learned to smile sweetly at that fleshy, intimidating face and do whatever it took to please them.

I even learned to compete with a dog for his favor, just to get a piece of moldy bread.

But I had never tried to compete with Nancy.

All I wanted was for Mom and Dad to tell me stories again and listen to me sing the songs I had just learned. I wanted to fall asleep to the sound of their voices, the way I had when I was little.

The bleeding had slowed. Maybe there wasn't much blood left. I was starting to lose consciousness, and I knew it would all be over soon.

Mom and Dad wouldn't have to worry about me competing with Nancy for their attention anymore. They wouldn't have to stay with me all the time, afraid I might get hurt.

They could spend all their time with Nancy. They could go out whenever they wanted instead of constantly taking time off work for my doctor appointments.

Nancy wouldn't have to keep such a close eye on my moods anymore.

And I wouldn't have to spend every night struggling to keep emotions I knew weren't normal under control, only to wake up the next morning and pretend I was just like everyone else.

…

I kicked myself for forgetting to open the window. Mom hated strange smells. Now she was definitely going to think I was being difficult again.

I smiled bitterly and looked up, only to catch sight of my deathly pale reflection in the window.

I looked terrifying. I couldn't let them see me like that.

My soul slipped out of my body, and I drifted outside until I spotted Dad walking down the street. He had Nancy in one arm and was holding Mom's hand with the other.

I followed them.

Nancy asked brightly, "Mom, Dad, are we going to get my favorite burgers and fried chicken?"

Mom gave her nose a playful pinch. "Yep. You were so good at the doctor's today, so you get a treat."

I watched the three of them walking ahead of me, and it finally hit me. I was the one who didn't belong.

My eyes burned, and I instinctively reached up to wipe at them. Then I froze.

How could a soul cry?

Mom cut Nancy's burger into smaller pieces, wrapped it back up, and handed it to her. Dad poured out the fries, dipped them in ketchup, and handed them to Nancy.

When Nancy got sauce on the corner of her mouth, Mom gently wiped it away.

It reminded me of when I was little. Whenever I got a shot without crying, Mom and Dad would take me out for burgers and pizza afterward.

Then I followed them to a photo booth. Even though I knew they couldn't see me, I still huddled in the corner, too afraid to move.

On the way home, they ran into one of our neighbors.

"The three of you out having fun again?"

"Hi, Ms. Lane. Mom and Dad took me out for burgers today," Nancy said sweetly.

"Aren't you a sweetheart? Jenny's a sweetheart too. I ran into her the other day, and she even said hi to me. She's so polite. You've got two wonderful daughters," Ms. Lane said warmly.

Mom forced a smile, gave Ms. Lane a quick nod, and kept walking. A tear slipped down her cheek.

"I wish Nancy were our only daughter. I wish I'd never had Jenny," she said softly to Dad.

I heard every word. My eyes started burning again, but I wasn't sad. I was happy.

Mom had gotten her wish.

Nancy wiped the tears from Mom's cheeks. "Don't cry, Mom. I'll always stay with you. I'll never make you sad. Come on, let's go home."

Dad stroked Nancy's hair, then took Mom's hand. "Okay. Let's go home."

My eyes burned so badly I could barely keep them open. I slowly let them close.

When I opened them again, everything was pitch-black. Then I heard the front door open, followed by Nancy's cheerful voice.

"Jenny, are you feeling better? I'm home!"