Playing for Keeps

Adeline The creak from the door startles me and I struggle to regain consciousness. I don’t hear footsteps coming towards me but I can feel his presence. I know he’s here with me. I can feel the coldness of his eyes linger across my bare skin and my eyes shoot open. I don’t dare turn over but I begin to recognize the room I’m in, the scent is so familiar that it takes me back to my childhood. I glare at the photos above the oak dresser across the room and I can’t stop the smile from tugging on the corners of my lips. One picture catches my attention in particular. A middle aged woman with gorgeous fire red hair stands proud beside her daughter, engulfing her in a side hug. I’ll never forget that day. It was the day that Bailey and I came together and shared the role of Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz at the school play. We had argued for months about who would take the lead role. Bailey’s mom was so proud of us that she even brought us both a bouquet of wild flowers. It was one of the la