Chapter 2 - The Empty Room
The ambulance drove away with Marlene, and the police officer took my statement in the sterile, quiet living room while Eli paced back and forth like a caged animal.
“She needs a psychiatric hold,” Eli insisted to Officer Vance. “Look at her eyes. She doesn’t even remember where our daughter is.”
“Is that true, Mrs. Vance?” the officer asked me.
“No,” I said, though my voice lacked conviction. The truth was, my head felt like it was swimming in cotton. The blackouts, the lost hours, the terrifying feeling of waking up on the couch while Eli filmed me—it all rushed back. Had I dropped June off at his sister’s? I couldn't remember the drive. I couldn't remember packing her bag.
“See?” Eli sighed, pulling out his phone. “I’ll call my sister, Maya. Maya has June. I asked her to keep her safe while we handled Claire’s latest episode.”
Officer Vance nodded slowly, writing notes in his small black book. “Mr. Vance, keep your wife here. We’ll file an incident report for the scald, but given the mother’s statement, it’s being logged as an accidental kitchen mishap for now. However, I advise you both to seek medical mediation.”
The moment the police cruiser pulled out of the driveway, Eli’s mask dropped. The weeping, helpless husband vanished, replaced by the cold, calculating stranger I had married five years ago.
“Pack your bags, Claire,” Eli said, locking the front door from the inside. “You’re checking into St. Jude’s Behavioral Clinic tonight. I’ve already signed the intake forms. By tomorrow morning, the custody petition will go through unopposed, and you will never see June again.”
“You drugged me,” I whispered, staring at him. “You gave me those white pills to fake my instability.”
“Prove it,” Eli smiled, walking over to the broken phone on the floor. He picked it up, crushed the cracked screen further under his heel, and tossed the device into the kitchen sink, turning on the faucet. “The upload failed. The backup was corrupt. Nobody is going to believe a woman who doesn't even remember where her own child sleeps.”
May you like
He walked past me toward the stairs. “I’m going to pick up June. When I get back, you’ll be packed, or I’ll have the orderlies come and carry you out in a straitjacket.”
The front door clicked shut behind him. I was alone.
