Home.

A while after Abigail stopped feeding her, Lucy closed her eyes and fell into an uneasy slumber. She whimpered and kicked in her sleep a few times, but she didn't wake up until hours later, when the car stopped.

Lucy came to with her head in Abby's lap, with her sister's fingers running through her hair comfortingly. She almost asked where they were before she remembered what situation she was in. Her unspoken question was answered anyway when her dad opened the door and announced, "Everybody out, we're home!"

Lucy reluctantly let her sister help her out of the car. The sun was already setting, so there weren't any neighbors outside to see them arrive, but she still felt terribly exposed in her old neighborhood. Fortunately they went inside quickly. Lucy's mom immediately disappeared into her bedroom, while everyone else stopped in the kitchen. There, Lucy's dad filled a bowl from the tap and placed it on the floor before grabbing some bottled water for himself and Abby.

I don't even get to drink the same water? Lucy thought in annoyance. Her mouth felt dry and gummy from the dog treats though, so she couldn't be picky. Tap water was fine anyway. When she'd had her fill, Abby and her dad stood up to show her how the house had been changed in her absence. Every family photo with her in them had been replaced or reframed to hide her presence, she noticed with dismay as she was lead to the living room, where a large doggie bed and a crate of dog toys had been set up for her.

"Not that she'll be tired after sleeping on your lap in the car," her dad remarked. "Of course, you look wide awake too Abigail. Why don't you take your new pet upstairs to play for a while before you go to bed?"

"Ok daddy! Goodnight," Abby said and got on her toes to kiss her dad on the cheek. He didn't even acknowledge his other daughter as he left, but Abby reached down to toussle her hair. "Come on girl, let's go upstairs."

Lucy wasn't too surprised when she was led into her own room. All her things were gone, replaced with Abby's, but that didn't bother her right now. She was alone with her sister, this was her chance to get through to her! She just had to wait until her dad was asleep, no sense letting him catch her talking.