"Hey Bug, can we chat?"
Carrie entered the movie room where Madeline was sitting on her computer.
"Sure." She closed the laptop, setting it down on the coffee table. She scooted over a little, letting Carrie sit down in the corner of the L shaped couch.
"I just thought we should talk about last night, just the two of us. I know it was scary for you. I just want you to know that you can talk to me about it, I want you to be able to work through your feelings with me, if you want to." Carrie put her arm around Madeline, pulling her close against her. Madeline snuggled into her, resting her head on a Carrie's shoulder. She sat quietly for a minute, thinking about what she wanted to say.
"I don't know, it was just really scary. Especially sitting in your room alone. I didn't know what to do."
Madeline shut her mother's bedroom door, her heart pounding out of her chest. She didn't know what to do.
She rushed over to Carrie's cell phone on the night stand, struggling to unlock it and get to her contacts with her hands shaking. She clicked Ivey's number, not knowing who else to call.
"Come on, pick up. Pick up." Madeline's whole body was shaking and she felt like she couldn't breathe.
"Hello? Carrie?" Ivey's tired voice finally answered.
"Ivey, it's Madeline." Madeline began to cry as she spoke. She could hardly get her words out. "Sam broke into our house. He has Mom. I-I don't know what to do. He said that we'd regret it if-if I called the police. I think he's r-raping her. I'm so scared."
Ivey shot up in bed at the mention of Sam. Her heart began to beat quicker with each word.
"Madeline, honey, calm down. It's okay, it's okay." Ivey went into mother mode, knowing that she had to remain calm and not freak out for Madeline's sake.
"I don't know what to do." Madeline sobbed.
"Baby you have to call the police. It's okay. He's not going to hurt you. The police will know what to do, they'll know how to get in without him knowing. I promise. They'll keep you safe. You have to call them."
"I-I'm so scared."
"I know, I know." Ivey's heart ached for her. "But you have to call the police. Your mom needs you. I'm on my way right now. Call the police, then call me back if you want to. It's going to be okay, I promise."
"Okay." She sniffled.
"You can do it, I promise it'll be okay. I love you. I'll be there soon." Ivey hung up, scrambling to throw on clothes, explain what had happened to Mark, and get her keys.
"I'm so sorry you had to go through that. I hate that you were put in that situation."
Madeline remained silent for a moment, contemplating what to say next.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Anything." Carrie squeezed her hand.
