The Last Tear

Roger's face changed in an instant. He snatched up a wooden stick from the side and jammed it toward my mouth.

"How dare you call him Ty! It's not your place!"

The stick's splinters tore into my gums and tongue until blood filled my mouth. The pain was so sharp that I could only groan pitifully.

On the other end of the line, Tyler hesitated. "Wait… did someone just call me Ty?"

Roger forced a grin at the camera. "Oh, that was the package. She heard your name and blurted it out."

My parents bobbed their heads quickly. "Yes, yes, that's right! She just heard us mention your name and shouted it."

Then my father kicked me hard in the mouth. "Shut it! Don't you dare dirty Mr. Ty's name with that useless mouth of yours!"

My lips throbbed like fire, swelling fast.

"Enough. Let me see her," Tyler said, his voice impatient. "That voice sounds familiar."

Roger crouched down, yanked my hair, and shoved my face toward the phone's camera.

For one brief moment, my heart lit up with hope. If Tyler recognized me, he'd order my parents to release me.

But Tyler only frowned, looking disappointed. "This is her? Don't see what's so special. You're not pulling one over on me, are you?"

My heart sank like a stone.

He didn't recognize me.

In the glow of the phone screen, I caught a glimpse of myself. My cheeks were swollen, my lips bleeding, and my eyes half-shut. No wonder he didn't know me—I barely recognized myself.

My birth family had done this to me.

The thought hollowed me out. I wanted to cry, but all that came out were choked gasps.

Roger flung me aside by the hair and hurried to explain, "No, no! She really is pretty, like a doll. We just punished her a little for misbehaving. Once she heals, she'll be fine!"

He wiped sweat from his forehead while my parents whispered nervously behind him.

"Damn it. What if he gets mad at us?"

"I'm worried. too."

"Roger, show him her ID," my mother urged under her breath.

Roger's eyes lit up. He dug into his pocket. "Mr. Ty, I'd never lie to you. I have her ID right here. One look, and you'll see how gorgeous she really is!"

"Fine, let me see it," Tyler said lazily.

Hope flickered back in me. Tyler had seen me a few times before. He would definitely recognize me once he saw my picture.

Roger shoved my ID up to the camera.

I straightened as much as I could, silently pleading for Tyler to look closely.

Tyler murmured. "Not bad. Pretty face. Just a little short-haired, almost boyish. And the name…" He squinted at the ID. "Bambi? Isn’t that a cartoon character?"

Then he burst out laughing.