Chapter 4I Became His Worst Curse

Gavin didn't go to school the next morning.

He stood by the front door, slamming his backpack onto the floor. “If Maeve’s not going, I’m not going either.”

My father walked out of his room, glancing at him as if he were a stubborn piece of livestock.

“Fine. Then neither of you eats today.”

He locked the kitchen door from the outside.

By noon, Gavin was sitting in the corner of the yard, his stomach cramping from hunger.

I sat on the porch steps, listening to Diane talk on the phone inside. Her voice was muffled, but I could make out the words.

“Lyle, honey... just give it a few more days. Her dad is handling it... Yes, I’ll find a way to get her ID... Don't worry, she’s not going anywhere.”

Gavin heard it too.

He looked up at me, his lips pale and dry. “Maeve... she’s talking to Briggs.”

“I know.”

“Maeve, let’s run away.”

“To where, Gavin?”

He opened his mouth, but no words came out.

A fifteen-year-old boy with no money and no ID. Where could we possibly go?

In the afternoon, my father unlocked the kitchen door and carried a bowl of instant noodles out, placing it in front of Gavin.

“Eat. Then get your ass to school.”

Gavin didn't touch it.

“I have plans for your sister. It’s none of your business.”

“Plans? You’re selling her to a forty-five-year-old man!”

“It’s not selling. It’s finding her a secure future.”

Gavin kicked the bowl.

The hot soup splashed onto the dirt, steam rising into the afternoon air.

My father’s face darkened instantly.

He walked back into his bedroom and came out holding something in his hand.

It was my mother's silver bracelet.

It was the only thing I had left of her. For eighteen years, I had worn it while washing dishes, while sleeping, even at the fish plant. My father had never touched it because he was superstitious about dead people’s belongings.

But today, he held it in his hand.

“Gavin. If you don't pick up that backpack and get to school right now, this goes into the river.”

“You...” Gavin’s eyes went wild.

“Try me.”

“Dad, that’s Mom’s! You can't do that!”

My father raised his hand, holding the bracelet high above his head.

“You have three seconds to get out of this house. One.”

Gavin looked at me, panic in his eyes.

“Two.”

I stood up and walked over to my father. “Give it back.”

“You think you can control him?” My father looked down at me, his expression cruel. “I thought you said you weren't going to shield him anymore? Fine. If you won't fall in line, then your mother’s things go too.”

“Three.”

He swung his arm.

The silver bracelet flew through the air, clattering against the concrete wall before rolling into the filthy drainage ditch at the edge of the yard.

Gavin lunged for it. He shoved his arm deep into the murky, stagnant water, searching frantically until he pulled the bent, muddy piece of silver out.

He ran over to me, pressing the wet bracelet into my palm.

“Maeve, it’s not broken... it’s just a little bent... I can fix it with some pliers...”

I gripped the metal.

The delicate script engraved on the inside—Keep Maeve Safe—was scratched and caked with mud.

It was the only message my mother had ever left me.

Gavin looked at my face, then suddenly turned and charged back into the house.

“What are you doing?” my father shouted, blocking the doorway.

“I’m getting my savings book!” Gavin yelled back. “You said you were saving my money! I’m taking it to Lyle Briggs so he leaves my sister alone!”

“Your savings book?” My father stared at him, then let out a cold, mocking laugh.

It was a laugh so devoid of humanity it made my skin crawl.

“Go ahead. Search the whole house.”

Gavin ran into his room, tearing through his drawers. Five minutes later, he ran out clutching a small red savings ledger.

He flipped it open, his eyes scanning the pages. The color drained from his face.

“Zero... why is it zero?”

“What did you expect?” My father lit another cigarette. “Your allowance, your sister’s wages, your mother’s small life insurance policy—every single cent went to paying off your messes over the last three years.”

“When you got suspended, it cost me two grand. When you got caught stealing from my wallet, that was another hit. Plus your food, your clothes... neither of you is cheap to keep.”

Gavin stood frozen, the red book trembling in his hand. He couldn't squeeze out a single word.

My father walked over, snatched the ledger from his grip, and stuffed it into his back pocket.

“So you see, if you don't study hard, you’re going to end up just like your sister.”

He cast a cold glance at me.

“It’s her fate. Don't blame me for being harsh, Gavin. Some people are just born to be stepping stones for others.”

“I don't want her to be my stepping stone!” Gavin screamed, his voice cracking into a sob.

“You don't have a choice.” My father turned to walk back inside. “Oh, and Lyle is coming over this Saturday to finalize the engagement. Maeve, curl your hair. Wear a dress.”

The door shut.

Gavin stood in the yard, his fingernails digging so hard into his palms that they drew blood.

“Maeve,” he whispered, his voice sounding older than fifteen. “What do we do?”

I didn't answer him.

I walked back into my room, knelt by the bed, and reached under the loose floorboard to pull out an old, dusty cell phone.

I had found it yesterday while rummaging through some old boxes in the crawl space.

My mother's old phone. The corner of the screen was cracked, but the power button still worked.

I pressed it.

The screen flickered, then glowed faintly.

3% battery.

At the very bottom of the gallery was a single video file named: For Maeve.

I tapped play.

My mother’s face filled the screen. She looked younger than I remembered, but her face was hollow and pale, leaning against a sterile hospital pillow. Her voice was barely a whisper.

“Maeve, sweetie... if you’re watching this, it means I’m no longer with you. There are things you need to know...”

“The deed to the cottage on North Street... I hid it in...”

The screen went black.

Battery depleted.

Gavin stood behind me, staring at the dead screen, his entire body trembling.

“Maeve... that was Mom...”

“Go find a charger.”