Chapter 2 - Locked Cages
Maya’s breath hitched in her throat as she stared at Julian’s chillingly calm expression. The dining room was silent save for Eleanor’s ragged coughing and the steady tick of the grandfather clock in the foyer. Maya backed away from the table, her white knit sweater catching on the polished edge of a side chair. The clump of gray hair slipped from her trembling fingers, landing softly beside the spilled red wine on the white napkin. She didn't care about the mess anymore. She only cared about escape.
"Open the door, Julian," Maya demanded, her voice shaking but holding a sharp edge of defiance that she hadn't possessed ten minutes ago. "I am leaving. Right now."
Julian didn’t move. He stood behind his mother, who was now massaging her scalp with shaking hands, glaring up at Maya with venomous hatred. Julian slowly adjusted his black tie, his fingers steady once again as he smoothed the fabric against his crisp white dress shirt.
"You don't understand how things work in this family, Maya," Julian said, his tone dropping into a soft, patronizing register that made her skin crawl. "We protect our own. And right now, you are a danger to yourself. That is what I will tell the authorities if you make a scene."
Maya spun around on her heel and bolted down the dimly lit hallway toward the heavy oak front door. Her loafers clicked frantically against the hardwood floor. She reached the brass handle, wrapped her fingers around it, and threw her weight backward. The door didn't budge. She rattled the handle violently, twisting it left and right, but the heavy deadbolt was engaged. She looked down and saw a thick steel chain lock secured across the frame, a lock that could only be operated from the outside or with a master key system that Julian kept in his private study.
"Let me out!" Maya screamed, pounding her fists against the solid wood until her knuckles throbbed.
Footsteps approached softly from behind. Julian’s shadow fell over her, cold and immense. He didn't touch her, but his voice whispered directly into her ear, sending a shudder down her spine.
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"You left your phone on the kitchen island, didn't you, Maya?" Julian whispered smoothly. "And you haven't spoken to your sister in six months. Who do you think will come looking for you?"
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