Page 91 of Abandoned

Logan took off with lights and siren.

She turned to Will. Where are we going?

“The old Enzweiler Insane Asylum. It’s said to be haunted. Is it, Logan?”

Logan chuckled. “Not as far as I could tell. Unless you count Will and AJ as ghosts.”

The two friends laughed, but Zara stared from one to another. Yet another story they would have to tell her. I want that story later.

Will winked at her and signed, I promise.

Her heart warmed.

He reached forward and held out a sad-looking twisty-tie ring. “Looks like I’ll have to replace it even sooner than I expected. Will you forgive us for jetting out on you last night?”

Yes. Forgive me for overreacting?

“Of course.” I love you.

She nodded and pressed her lips together. She took the pathetic, wet paper-covered wire and slid it on her finger.

Will drummed his thumb on his thigh as Logan pulled down the long, overgrown driveway to the old mental institution. The place had been at the height of its existence right around the turn of the twentieth century but had closed in the 1970s. The entire property was surrounded with thick forest.

Right before pulling through the gates at the entrance to the grounds, Logan cut lights and siren. But there was nothing they could do about the sound of the car crunching on the asphalt-turned-gravel or the crack of breaking branches.

The rain had slowed to a light drizzle, and the sun was even peeking out by the time they exited the canopied driveway and pulled along the side of a long four-story building, including the basement and the dormer windows of the attic. Brett’s truck was parked near the front but behind an overgrown line of hedges. Only the top of the cab could be seen, but it was no doubt the truck that had come up in the DMV records.

They parked beside a giant fountain that stood in the center of the circle drive. They jumped out of the car.

Zara turned to Will and signed, We have got to get in there and find Miley. Who knows what he’s doing to her.

Will nodded. Zero doubt remained that Miley was in danger. He went to the trunk and tapped it.

Logan popped the trunk, and Will grabbed the shotgun and AR-15 they had put in before leaving the station.

Zara held out a hand as if she expected him to give her one of the long weapons.

“What? You’re on lookout duty.”

And how exactly am I supposed to radio if he comes out?

“Fine.” She had a good point. And he did not want to be away from her right now either.

Wyatt came over and handed a bulletproof vest and an AR-15 to Zara.

Doug said, “Mine will fit her better.”

Wyatt shook his head. “You have a family at home plus one on the way. I’ll be fine.”

Zara slipped the vest on. It was entirely too big. Wyatt was at least three or four inches taller than Will, let alone Zara.

Will said, “Someone should stay out here since we don’t have enough manpower to cover all the exits.”

Logan slid a magazine into his AR-15. “It would be better to wait for SWAT.”

Zara shook her head.

Will spoke the words he was sure Zara was thinking. “Miley may not have that kind of time.”