Hours later Malcolm tried to sleep. Rowan had fallen asleep after crying because the man had never brought them dinner and moaning that her stomach hurt. Guilt racked Malcolm.
This is how it will be for her unless I let her go home.
Malcolm cried a little. He didn’t want to be left alone with the bearded man or the other silent man. But in his heart he knew he needed to let her go.
It was the right thing to do.
In the morning the man yelled for them to put on the blindfolds. Instead of giving them breakfast, the man took Malcolm back to the other place, and he worried that Rowan wouldn’t get any food again. It had been twenty-four hours since she’d eaten, and Malcolm didn’t want to hear her cry again.
Soon he’ll send her home.
Inside, the man took off Malcolm’s blindfold and smiled at him. Malcolm looked away, quickly glancing at the second man, and noticed he was sitting in the exact same spot, wearing the same clothes, and Malcolm wondered if he’d moved since yesterday. He smelled cinnamon and sugar and scanned the small room for the source of the amazing scents.
Then the bearded man handed him a cinnamon roll. It was warm and the icing was melting. Malcolm swallowed hard and met his gaze.
“Eat.”
Malcolm ripped off a piece and shoved it in his mouth. He nearly wept at the taste of sugar and butter and spice. He wanted to save some for Rowan but knew better than to ask. So he just ate, licking his fingers as he went, not caring that the two men watched his every move. After five bites he was mildly nauseated and felt guilty about eating while Rowan had nothing.
Surely he’ll give me something for her.
“Did you think about my idea?” the man asked. “I’m sure your sister was excited by it.”
“I would like her to go home, sir.” Malcolm didn’t mention that he hadn’t told Rowan that she could go home. He didn’t want her to know that he would stay behind. He knew she’d cry and refuse to leave. He couldn’t deal with that.
Malcolm kept his gaze on the floor and saw round drips of icing from his roll. He shuddered, waiting for the man to yell about the mess.
“You want her to leave?”
“Yes, sir.”
“And you’ll try harder? Work faster? Listen better?”
“Yes, sir.”
The man’s laughter filled the room, and Malcolm’s gaze flew up. The man had to sit down because he was laughing so hard. The second man was solemn, simply watching. He blinked, his eyes like an owl’s, and Malcolm realized it was the first movement he’d seen. The second man’s eyes were emotionless; they offered no explanation for the other man’s laughter.
Malcolm didn’t know what to do. He was terrified and hopeful and confused. He crushed the rest of the cinnamon roll in his grip, knowing something was very, very wrong.
“You should see your face!” The bearded man grinned at him as if Malcolm were his best friend.
I don’t think I am.
“You must be the most stupid boy in the world.” He coughed, and an evil gleam appeared in his eyes. “Did you really think I would send her home?”
Malcolm looked down again, fighting to keep the roll in his churning stomach. The strong cinnamon smell made it worse.
“There’s no point in sending her home. Your parents aren’t looking for you two anymore. They finished a while ago.”
He’s lying.
Malcolm met his gaze, searching for the truth. But he saw no hint that the man lied. The man actually looked sorry for him now. Hate flooded Malcolm, burning through his limbs. Lowering his head brought the linoleum back in his gaze, but he felt as if he were looking through a tube. His vision narrowed, and he felt light-headed. Malcolm abruptly sat on the floor and pulled up his knees, burying his face in them.
The only positive was that Rowan didn’t expect to leave. Malcolm was thankful he hadn’t told her.
“I know the news about your parents is a shock, boy. But I’m not surprised. It’s very hard to keep searching for a missing child. It feels better to give up and move on. I heard your family is moving out of state. They don’t want to keep living in the place their children vanished, and they want a fresh start.”
He’s lying. My parents would never give up.
Or would they?
His mom had been tired all the time from taking care of the twins. His and Rowan’s absence must be causing her so much more stress.
Maybe the family needed to move on to protect his mom.
“I’ll figure out something else to do with your sister. You win most of the competitions and are much stronger and faster. You’ve told me how much you hate her, so I’ll think on it. I know you want her gone.”