Maybe being dead is better than going back with him.
But he needed to stay alive for Rowan.
The men moved closer. The smaller man took Malcolm’s upper arm, and they followed the armed man. Malcolm stared at his feet for a long time as they walked but occasionally glanced at the man who had freed them. He wanted to read his face, see a sign of hope, but the man wouldn’t look at him.
He wondered again if it had been entertainment for them.
Another cruel game to get their hopes up and then destroy them.
Malcolm halted as he realized they weren’t on the path he’d made to Rowan. His throat started to close as he panicked.
How will I find her?
They hadn’t asked where she was, so they must have found her first. The second man yanked his arm, and Malcolm stumbled along. He looked at the man again, hoping to see a hint that they’d already taken Rowan back to the shed. The man’s face was stony and closed off, and Malcolm wondered if he’d gotten in trouble too.
No one spoke the entire walk. The big man didn’t look back at Malcolm, who could tell he was still angry by his shoulders and stride. Malcolm didn’t dare say a word.
It was nearly dark by the time they got back, but they didn’t go to the shed. Instead, they headed toward a building, and Malcolm thought it was where he had been taken twice before. He’d never seen it from the outside, but it was rectangular and small.
Is Rowan back in the shed or in this building?
The bearded man led them around to the back. Behind the small building was a large wooden box. The man lifted the lid.
“The shed you were in is bigger than you deserve. This is more appropriate for boys who run away.”
Tears burned down Malcolm’s face. He tried to step back, but the silent man had a hold on his arm. The box was about the size of his mother’s Jacuzzi bathtub. He wouldn’t be able to stand.
“Get in.”
Shaking, he peered inside, hoping to see Rowan. Instead, he saw broken chunks of wood and cobwebs in the corners. He wondered if it had been used to hold chopped wood.
The second man shoved Malcolm’s arm forward, and he awkwardly climbed into the box. It smelled like dirt, dusty and old. He sat cross-legged, hoping the lid won’t make him bend his head when he closed it. The two men stared down at him.
“You shouldn’t have been bad and run away,” said the big man as he frowned. “See what you’ve made me do because you need to be punished? I have no choice.” His voice was sad.
“I’m sorry, sir.” It was the first time Malcolm had spoken since they’d found him, and his voice was hoarse.
“Get him some water,” the big man said, and the second one left.
Malcolm closed his eyes as thirst and hunger swamped him, and he swayed in the box. He dreaded the man closing the lid. It would be dark, and he wondered if there were spiders.
“Aren’t you going to ask about your sister?”
Malcolm’s eyes flew open. The bearded man looked very sorry, and Malcolm’s stomach heaved. His mouth went completely dry, and he couldn’t speak.
Something happened.
“We couldn’t tell if it was a bear or cougar that got her, but—”
Malcolm leaned to one side and retched. Nothing came up. His stomach heaved over and over, and finally a tiny bit of bitter fluid came up his throat. He spit it out.
He could see Rowan in his mind, terrified and screaming as she was attacked.
Malcolm heaved several more times, but his gut was empty. He covered his face with his hands and bawled.
I left her and she died.
“You shouldn’t have run away,” he said. “It’s all your fault she’s dead. She was safe in that shed, but you made her leave, didn’t you? She couldn’t have done it on her own with that leg.”
Malcolm fought for breath between sobs and felt as if his tears were drowning him.
“Good thing your parents won’t ever know. They’d hate you forever for leaving their daughter to die. The police would arrest you for taking a little girl into the woods and abandoning her. This is all on you.”
He’s right. I did it.
Malcolm coughed and choked, and the tears kept coming. Something made a wailing sound, and he realized it was him.
“You’re lucky we saved your life today. The animals could have killed you next. We didn’t have to go looking for you. I could have spent my day barbecuing or shooting on my gun range. You should show some gratitude.”
“Thank you. Thank you for saving me.” He wailed and immediately vomited again as the man closed the lid.