Page 30 of Pure Silence

“Thank you.” Goldie accepted it and chewed, humming as if it was absolutely delicious.

Day waited for him to finish that one and then offered the next. He actually enjoyed this, and it made him smile as it reminded him so much of taking care of Father.

Such a good boy.

Once the nuggets were done, Day moved on to feeding Goldie the mashed potatoes and vegetables with a spoon. Goldie didn’t say much, eagerly taking one bite right after another. He must have been really hungry. Day loved the quiet in a way. He didn’t have his headphones on, and it was so peaceful and nice.

No filth. No cursing. No screaming.

Just wonderful, blissful silence.

“Thank you very much,” Goldie said when the tray was cleared.

Day nodded and smiled sweetly. He placed the fork in the tray and got up to take it back to the kitchen.

“You know, it would be a lot easier if you let me out of these cuffs,” Goldie said casually. “You wouldn’t have to keep waiting on me like this.”

Day paused, looking back at Goldie with a frown. He shook his head and shrugged, pretending he didn’t understand as he left.

He knew eventually he would have to take off the cuffs. It was mean to keep Goldie locked up like this, and he couldn’t do it forever. He would have to let Goldie go and hope he didn’t do anything that might interfere with the mission.

The mission mattered most.

The mission waseverything.

If Goldie tried to stop him or called the cops…

No. Day was not going to think about that. He didn’t have to think about that because this was going to work out. Goldie would understand. They were going to be happy. Day was finally going to be happy.

You know what you’d have to do…

Day clamped his hands over his ears, gritting his teeth as he tried to quiet Father.

Not even his most sophisticated headphones could makethatvoice go away.

He waited until he thought Father was done, and he threw away the tray with the fork in it. He grumbled as he had to reach back into the trash to retrieve the fork and toss it into the sink. He thought Goldie might be thirsty and poured him a cup of tea from a jug he found in the fridge.

He still had more sleeping pills, but he hesitated.

No. He didn’t need to do that. Not again.

Day walked to the bedroom with the tea.

“Hey.” Goldie smiled. It was a little too friendly. “Can we try to talk some more?”

Day was immediately on guard.

“You saved my life,” Goldie said. “There’s no doubt about that. Michael would have killed me. So, when I say thank you, I really mean it. And thank you for Dana. And her kids too.”

Day nodded slowly.

“But,” Goldie began.

Ah, there it was.

Day scowled and took a step back.

“Hey, hear me out,” Goldie pleaded. “What I’m trying to say is that while I really appreciate your help, I think you might need some help. People don’t usually go around killing other people, okay? They don’t claim to have missions from God either.”