Trigger warning: Please be aware this chapter depicts abuse in the form of grooming/preying on a minor

Six years ago...

Little Dove,

I'm missing you so badly here lately. I wish I could pick up the phone and hear your voice. I am about to just send you a phone, I don't care how your mom feels about you having one, screw her anyway, right? 

 I'm sorry I haven't written as much lately. Things have been crazy with my guitar lessons and school. But what about you? Have you made any friends yet? I, uh, hope I still fall under that best friend category. Don't know if I could handle getting that 'Dear John' letter from you telling me I've been replaced. LOL. 

But seriously.

Good news on the car front. I have saved almost enough to buy this used car I found on a lot not too far from my house. Dad said once I can pay for it upfront, he would pay for the insurance. I take my driving test in two weeks, so you never know, I could be showing up at your door any day now. 

Okay, well, any month now anyway. 

Maddie, how are you? Really? I know you, and I know when something is wrong. Your last few letters have seemed different. Please... let me know.

Don't forget how amazing you are, okay? 

Always, 

Liam

P.s. I pinky promise.

I wiped my eyes, not wanting the tears to tarnish the fragile paper. Liam's letter was what I had desperately needed today, but in truth, it was what I needed every day. I so badly wanted to hear his voice telling me that everything was going to be okay. Even if it was a lie.

I missed him. 

So much.

A light knock on my bedroom door had me quickly hiding the letter underneath some books on top of my desk in barely enough time before Ben let himself in.

His dark, assessing look caused me to be grateful that half of me was hidden underneath the desk, as he took a step forward. "Hey kiddo, what are you doing in here?"

I shivered, hating the way the word sounded off his lips. I wasn't, nor would I ever be his kiddo, especially with the way he contradicted that word with almost every action he made.

"Nothing. Just studying."

A disgusting smirk spread across his face as his finger traced the spine of the textbook on my desk. "What a good girl you are, studying on a weekend. You know how much that pleases me, but you know what else pleases me? Watching you have some fun." He trailed his eyes down, focusing on my legs briefly, before pulling them back up to my eyes. "It's a nice day outside. Why don't you go out and play?"

"Um, maybe in a bit. I really need to study for this test."

He pushed a book over, perching half of his body on the side of my desk, causing me to scoot back slightly in my chair in an effort to create some distance.

"Need any help?" 

"No, it's okay." I quickly refused, shaking my head before I remembered his inclination to a quickly changed attitude. Smiling, I added, "I learn best when it's quiet, but thank you."

His dark eyes narrowed in on mine as he appeared to be in thought. I held my breath, waiting for his response, thankful when he finally nodded and stood up. 

"Alright but finish it up and then head outside so I can watch you playing as a fifteen-year-old should before your mom gets back. You know how much she hates seeing you get dirty. Such a shame." Squeezing my shoulder for longer than I liked, he turned to walk out the door, shutting it behind him.

I immediately grabbed Liam's letter from under my books, and folded it back up, putting it in the box I had stored the rest of them. Then, before I could talk myself out of it, I grabbed a blank sheet of paper.

Liam,

I am happy to hear things are going well for you. I miss you too. Nothing would make me happier than to hear your voice...except seeing you of course.

 I can't wait to see your car.  You will have to let me drive it. Maybe you could teach me how.

Things here are

My thoughts drifted as my stomach sank, the contents curdling inside me as I fought the urge to vomit. Ink began to bleed on the paper as I held the pen in place, working up the nerve to admit what I never wanted to burden him with. I mean, how could I tell him what it had been like here when things were going so well for him? The only person's happiness who meant anything to me, was Liam's.

But hearing Ben's pacing steps in the hall became my encouragement. It was now or never. I needed to get out of here. So, I wrote what I was really feeling without hiding under vague hints.

Things here are... do you remember when you swore you could do magic? How at your birthday party, you tried to convince me that you made me disappear?  I may have given you a hard time, but in a way, you really did. You always had a way of making things better. Of making me feel like it was only you and me, and no one else.

If I asked you to, do you think you could make me disappear again? 

He thinks I don't know what he's doing, but I do. Every subtle touch, every word that has a double meaning... I know. My mom won't listen, she never does. I'm afraid of the day when he decides to cut the games and be upfront. I'm afraid of the day he tires of waiting. 

Liam, I'm afraid that day won't be much longer.

Please come get me. I don't want to be here anymore. I doubt my mom would notice anyway.

I'm sending my dove necklace you gave me with this letter. I wear it every day Liam, and smile because it makes me think of you, and of who I am. So, if you want me to keep remembering, bring it back to me. 

Bring it back to me and make me disappear one more time.

Always, 

Maddie

P.s. I pinky promise

This chapter hurts my heart. If you have ever been in this type of situation, know you are not alone. It was hard to write even a sliver of this type of abuse, I cannot even imagine actually going through this. My love and support go out to all who have ever been in any type of abusive relationship or situation. I personally understand it is not easy, but know you are strong.

Poor Maddie. Here, we see one of their letters, signed with their pinky promise- to always write to always be there for one another, and to never forget each other. Now we know how he got the necklace back, but why has he had it this whole time? Why did he not come? How could he have forgotten their promises? We and Maddie deserve to know😥