CAGED

Chapter 29: The Move

Ryan's P.O.V.

As we arrive in Trenton, GA I can't help but feel a twinge of guilt for leaving the only real home Rachel has known. We had set up sich a beautiful life in Monteagle, and now it's all gone. This girl honestly seems more trouble than she's worth lately. I'll have to meet up with James while we are both in Georgia, debate what can be done before Rachel and I reach our final destination.

Roy steers the car through the main street until we arrive on the other side of the city. Roy expertly maneuvers the small roads until we arrive at a green painted house with an unkempt yard. The house is a safe house I set up years ago, and have rarely had to use.

Roy parks the car on the sidenof the road and gets out, turning the vehicle off. Rachel is completely alert again and is looking out the window excitedly. She had asked about Marissa a while ago, and accepted that the girl simply chose not to join us.

I'm not naive enough to think she believes my answer, since she knows how Marissa came to us. She is, however, smart enough to not question my response. She has a loose understanding of how my work operates, and it's enough for her to stay out of it until she's ready to get her hands dirty herself. She seems innocent and playful, but she's quite wise for her age.

Rachel and I step out of the car as well, bags in hand, and go to the front door. I pull a key from my pocket and unlock the deadbolt, swinging the door open. Stepping inside I flip the switch, turning the lights on in the entryway.

To the left is the living room, to the right is a den area. In front of us is the steps leading upstairs, and beside that is a hallway leading to the dining room, the downstairs full bath, and the kitchen, the laundry room just off of the kitchen. We go up the stairs to claim our rooms. I take the masters suite with a built in bathroom. While downstairs has a shower, this only has a bath tub. Rachel claims the room beside mine, and Roy takes the room across from Rachel's. Between Rachel and Roy's room are the stairs to the attic where Marissa will stay.

I slump tiredly against my bed until Roy announces that he's going to go get food. Down the street is a mexican restraunt, Mama Sitas, which is pretty good. I tell him what to get and he jots it down before going downstairs and out the door.

Rachel comes into my room with a small knock on the door. "Daddy," she starts, "how long will we be here?"

I bite my lip as I contemplate the answer. "Not long sweetie," I answer. "I just need to settle some business here before we go on. We're gonna go to Florida like you wanted to, go to Universal!"

"Can we visit Hogwarts?" Rachel nearly screams in excitement.

"Of course we can," I laugh at her enthusiasm. "Gotta try some Butterbeer!" Rachel jumps in place as she starts to ramble on about how she's definitely going to meet Hermione Granger when we go. I let her be excited as I go up the stairs to the attic.

The attic is a fair size, but has a caged area built in the right corner. There's a spring cot with a thin mattress for her sleep on, and a bucket for her relieve herself. After her last stunt, running away like that, she won't get any nice treatment from me any longer. May life have mercy on her if James takes her back.

I go over to the cage and place my thumb on the lock, the fingerprint scanner registering and releasing the lock. I open the cage door and step inside, scanning the area to make sure there's nothing the stupid girl can use to hurt herself. I remember her first day with me when she used my cuffs to slit her wrists. She's an interesting pain in my ass, that's for certain.

Satisfied with the small room I turn and leave the basement, leaving the cage door open. Once it's dark I'll bring the girl up here, since I don't want to risk her being seen. When I get to the first floor I see that Roy is back already, setting the food down in the dining room. I call up to Rachel to come eat and start opening the containers of food as Rachel comes barreling downstairs.

We sit quietly at the table and eat our dinner, the unique taste of the food warming me to the core. Roy finished first, gathering his trash and putting it in the bag it came from. I followed suit shortly after, leaving Rachel to finish eating on her own. I look at my watch to see that it's already past eight, meaning it's already dark outside.

While Rachel is busy I have Roy join me outside to fetch Marissa. Roy keeps watch as I pop the trunk, exposing Marissa's mangled and still passed out body. I scoop the girl up and Roy quietly shuts the lid. We go inside, Roy opening all of the doors for me as we go to the attic. In the cage I drop ber body carefully to the got and leave, shutting the cage and locking it behind me.

Back downstairs Rachel is finished eating, putting her trash in the bag.

"Get your toothbrush from your bag and brush your teeth. Then pajamas and bed!" I tell her in a stern voice, leaving no room for argument.

"Yes Daddy," Rachel agrees as she skips up the stairs to do as she was told. I go to the living room and slump down on the couch before flicking the television on. I switch it to the news and wait to hear anything relevant go us.

A/N: Update! Yay! Two in one week! Yay!!

So the house in the picture is as described. It is over 100 years old, but it was such a great house! It's actually the house I grew up in when I was little, back in North Carolina.

Question for the weekend!

Where are you reading from?

I'm writing from South Carolina! Represent! Haha 😄