Chapter 4Dying Twice To Save Her

She was treated like livestock now, chained in the muck of the pigpen with nothing but a thin layer of straw. Her clothes were rags, stained with old blood.

When a neighbor stopped by and asked about the "city girl," Hank just shrugged.

"She’s a stubborn one. Lost the boy on purpose. Needs a firm hand."

The neighbor, an old man with yellow teeth, just chuckled. "They’re all like that. A woman ain't a woman if she ain't breeding. Hit her a few more times. Or, if she’s really a problem, just knock her upside the head until she’s simple. She’ll be easier to handle then."

Hank rubbed his chin. "But who’ll do the work if she’s simple?"

The old man pointed at me. "The little one’s getting big. She looks handy."

Hank’s eyes lit up. "You’re right, Silas. You’re always right."

I stood by the pump, my blood running cold. My time was running out. I couldn't wait any longer.

"If you want her to be a good broodmare, you gotta feed her a bit," Silas added. "Can't have her dying before you get your money's worth."

Hank nodded begrudgingly. Over the next month, he "fattened her up" like a hog for slaughter, forcing food down her throat when she refused to eat.

Labor Day was three days away. In our town, that meant a big community BBQ and plenty of moonshine.

I walked into the pigpen and knelt in the mud in front of her. She was a shell of the woman she had been.

"Get out, you little parasite," she hissed without opening her eyes.

I looked at her, memorizing the curve of her jaw, the way her hair used to smell like lavender before it smelled like rot.

"Mommy," I whispered. "The holiday is coming. You’re going to see your real family soon. Aren't you happy?"

She let out a harsh, jagged laugh. "See them? In hell, maybe. I’ll see them when I finally kill your father and then myself."

I looked down, my heart breaking in silence.