Chapter 13

Click, click, click:He took shots of my sweaty torso, inner thighs, and shoulders.

Click:My flushed cheeks and half-closed eyes.

Click:My head turned to the right, limp on my shoulder.

Click:A close-up of my navel.

Click…

* * * *

He stood over me and said, “This is what I used to do.”

I barely could speak, but I found the strength and half-whispered, “So many boys. You’re a sick man. You need help.”

“I don’t like it when the boys leave me.”

“Did you think I was leaving you?”

He nodded. The smile he’d been wearing had faded. “I did. Once you found the pictures, you had every intention of leaving.”

I thought about this for a moment and nodded my head. “I did plan on leaving.”

“And telling the cops on me.”

I shook my head.

“I loved all of them. Just so you know. They were my pets. My gems. My boys. Sons. Children. Every single one of them.”

“You hurt them,” I whispered, my voice wavering in fear and pain.