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“Oh boy. He’s never talked to me like that before.”
Quinten kissed her bare shoulder. “You did good.”
She turned her face to him. “Can we go to the hospital and get that over with? I want to be free to decide on where we’re going to go and what our new life is going to be like.
He rested his forehead against hers. “Yes.”
* * *
2:00pm
* * *
Her stomach was in knots as the hospital came into view and her hands fisted on her lap. Chills raced down her spine and she knew that whatever had happened behind that brick and mortar building hadn’t been good.
“Hey,” Quinten reached over and tried to pry her fingers open. The minute he pulled up outside the place, he turned to her and grabbed both of her hands.
Saige grabbed hold and turned fearful eyes to him. “I’m scared.”
Quinten watched her before he climbed from the car and ran to the opposite side and opened her door. He crouched down and tugged her out of the car and into his arms.
Saige buried her face in his chest and clung to him. “I’m afraid of what we’re going to find out.”
“Baby”—Quinten cupped her face—“whatever we find out, just remember you’re not alone.” He kissed her forehead. “We’re together, Saige.”
Saige searched his eyes, seeing pain and worry in the hidden depths, but she didn’t focus on that. She focused on the love she saw shining bright in his eyes. Reaching up, Saige gave him a lingering hug, and whispered. “I love you.”
Intertwining their fingers together, she threw him a weak smile and turned to the hospital. The place didn’t look welcoming. In fact, it looked like something out of a horror movie or The X-Files. If the sun hadn’t been blazing down on them, she would have run the other way, regardless of what she wanted to know.
The three-story building was a dirty grey stone with small square windows that ran the length of each floor. There was no definitive shape to the structure and it looked like it had been dropped into place in the middle of nowhere.
As they approached the only door that they could see, Saige gripped Quinten’s hand tightly, letting him lead her inside to the reception desk, which was a surprise.
The small area had pale yellow walls with white trim. Colorful flowers in a vase sat on the corner of the receptionist’s desk, and the chairs for visitors looked welcoming and comfortable—such a contrast from the outside of the building.
“Can I help you?” a young woman asked, dressed casually in a white skirt with splashes of color, and a plain, pink sweater.
Saige blinked, and cleared her throat. “We don’t have an appointment, but I was wondering if Doctor Erikson was available to see us for a few minutes?”
The woman shook her head. “I’m sorry but Doctor Erikson is the director and I’m afraid you’ll have to make an appointment if you wish to talk to him.”
“Please,” Saige begged. “I was a patient of Doctor Erikson’s for two years. I left around six years ago.” Saige looked at Quinten, who remained silent during the exchange, but she felt his presence and knew that he was with her.
“All I can do is let him know you are here, but I can’t promise anything. What name should I give him?” she asked, her pen poised over the notebook on the clear desk.
“Saige Lockwood.”
The pen slipped as she gave her name. Saige glanced at Quinten, who frowned at the young woman.
“I’ll be back in a minute.” The woman got up and, after punching in a series of numbers by the door, disappeared through it.
“What...” Saige started.
“I think she recognized your name. But why?”
Saige shook her head as the door opened again, and this time a man who looked to be in his sixties followed. He stared at Saige for a few seconds before he indicated that they should follow him.
Her heart thudded wildly in her chest as the security door closed behind them. If Quinten hadn’t been with her, she doubted she’d have been so willing because, although the place didn’t look as frightening inside as out, it gave her the chills.
