Picture Perfect by Fern Michaels

was so in tune with Cudge’s voice that she knew exactly what his next move and statement would be. You did what Cudge said when Cudge said it, and you didn’t ask questions. You didn’t volunteer anything with Cudge either. What was wrong with her? Why was she acting this way? Her stomach churned and she felt bile rise in her throat. She was afraid to stay with him and afraid to leave him. Fear of walking the streets, with no place to go at the end of the day, was worse than living with Cudge. Everyone needed someone, something—a place that was their own at the end of the day when darkness fell. She remembered only too well the darkness of the pantry where her father had locked her to punish her. She hated the dark and the creatures that came out in the dark. In a way, Cudge was like one of the rats back in the apartment; his eyes were just as beady, his lips as thin, his ears as pointed.
    Cudge ignored her; this was no time to let Elva get under his skin. He had to concentrate. “I want you to keep your eyes peeled for anything suspicious, like a trooper in an unmarked car, that kind of thing. Keep what wits you have sharp. If I get pulled over for any reason, you just sit there, deaf, dumb and blind. Don’t open that mouth of yours. You got that, Elva?”
    â€œYeah, I’m watching. How am I supposed to spot a trooper in an unmarked car? They don’t wear their trooper hats in plain cars. I might pick the wrong person and then you’ll get mad,” she whined.
    â€œYou can always tell a trooper because they wear those fancy polished sunglasses. I’m obeying all the traffic rules, so I think we’re safe, but that’s usually when something goes wrong. There’s no way I could make a run for it in this old buggy. If we get caught, it’s jail for both of us. You’re an accessory and don’t you ever forget it.”
    â€œI won’t,” Elva said. She had to think about what she was going to do when they got to the Wild Adventure campground. She knew she couldn’t stay with Cudge after this. Enough was enough. Even her fear of the dark and the creatures that prowled in the night weren’t as bad as winding up as dead as Lenny, and that’s what would happen if she stayed with Cudge. She couldn’t let him know what she was planning. The thought of leaving him was so daring, so alien to her, that she broke into a cold sweat. Fear—it always came down to fear. If Cudge made her help dig the grave for Lenny, she would bawl. And if he made the grave wider than it needed to be for Lenny, she would die on the spot—he wouldn’t have to kill her.
    â€œDamn you, Elva, didn’t you see that trooper? What the hell is wrong with you? Look, in the next lane, that’s a trooper or my name ain’t Cudge Balog. Pay attention. I ain’t gonna tell you again.”
    â€œHe don’t look like a trooper to me,” Elva said defensively. “There’s two kids in the backseat. Troopers don’t ride with kids. I’m watching the best I can.”
    â€œOkay, okay. He could still be a trooper. Just because he had kids doesn’t mean a thing. Always go by the sunglasses. They try and trick honest drivers. I’m gonna move up now and get in the right lane. Keep your eyes peeled on the road and don’t screw up, Elva.”
    â€œIf you’re moving to the right lane, what should I be looking for? There ain’t no traffic to the right of the right lane.” Her gaze shifted from Cudge’s profile to her window. BJ! The kid in the RV looked just like her little brother BJ. Another bummer. There was really something wrong with her. BJ was dead. She stared at him for a moment before she turned back to Cudge.
    Cudge clenched his teeth. One long arm reached out and yanked at Elva’s shoulder. Before she knew what was happening, she felt the hard sting of his hand against her face. She blinked as scalding