“She was playing hide-and-seek.”
Her father unlocked the door.
Ruby stumbled out.
His face went white.
“What happened?”
Ruby stared at Kelsey.
The babysitter gave her the same look she always used.
Don’t.
Ruby whispered, “I got locked in.”
“By accident,” Kelsey said.
Ruby’s father looked at the external latch.
“This locks from outside.”
Kelsey froze.
Sam appeared at the top of the stairs.
“She puts Ruby there.”
Everyone looked up.
Kelsey’s face changed.
“Sam doesn’t understand.”
Sam walked down holding something.
A small notebook.
Ruby recognized it immediately.
Kelsey kept it in her bag.
Sam had apparently taken it.
“What is that?” their father asked.
Kelsey moved toward him.
“Give me that.”
Ruby’s father took it first.
Each page contained times.
Rules.
Punishments.
