Chapter LIII:

The Civil War only lasted for four years. That was enough time to do more damage. Maddie can into my room and sat down on my bed.

“Is something wrong?” I asked. She shook her head at first. I reached over and put my arm around her shoulders. She tried to inch away from me. My heart sank. This was all my doing.

“Maddie,” I said. She wouldn’t respond to me.

“Is it the children again?” I asked. Maddie didn’t answer me. I didn’t want to tell her what I thought what really happened to the children. How would she react? Would she even believe me? I decided not to say anything for the time being.

I paused as she spoke.

“I’m sorry?” I asked. Maddie looked up at me.

“What am I going to do?” she asked. “They keep disappearing.”

“Who?” I asked.

“The children,” she whimpered. “Why do they keep disappearing? Where did they go? Why don’t they come back?” Maddie started trembling against my chest. I could feel her getting ready to cry.

“It’s okay,” I whispered. “It’s okay. You can cry. I will be here for you.” I meant that at the time. I couldn’t let her go. This was my fault after all. If she had never gotten close to me…

I heard her say my name.

I looked down at her. “What did you say?” Maddie looked up at with big eyes.

“Can you please kiss me?” she asked. I froze. Where did this come from? I should’ve stopped it there. Maybe she would’ve have been ruined further. If only I had…

I leaned down and kissed her on the lips. She didn’t push me off or anything. In fact, she kissed me back. I couldn’t understand it. Didn’t she know how much danger she was in? Didn’t she see that I was her problem?

As you can imagine, one thing always needs to another. This wasn’t supposed to happen. Then again, I should’ve expected it. What was going to happen when I let Maddie and her siblings stay here? When she pushed me down onto my bed, I knew that it was over. Why didn’t I stop her? I have no idea to be honest with you. I just let it happen. I looked at her with pleading eyes, but my message fell on deaf ears with her. Maddie leaned in and gave me another kiss. I kissed her back again.

The night ended with us in bed together under my sheets. Maddie was sound asleep next to me. I stared up at the ceiling as my senses returned to me. What have I done? I didn’t time to wonder that. Something told me it was going to get worse.