Chapter 35: Reluctant Pawn

RILEY

I was sitting on my bed, locked in my bedroom by my Mama as I was on time out. I was trying to read one of the few books Mama had gotten me from the library, when I heard her footsteps in the hallway.

They were different today, it sounded like she was heading somewhere quickly. That usually meant she had plans, and her plans usually meant trouble for me if I failed to live up to her expectations.

The lock clicked, and she pushed open my bedroom door without knocking. She never knocked anymore before she entered.

"Get up, Riley. We're going out."

I...