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I follow Carl through a maze of brightly lit hallways until we get to her room. He unlocks the door with a key card and says I can go in.
“Why’s she locked in there?” I ask.
Carl ignores my question. “I’ll be out here if you need anything.”
I step inside the beige-everything room—walls, tile floor, bed linens. River is sitting in a chair, facing the wall.
No window?“River?”
She doesn’t respond.
I walk over and crouch in front of her. Her warm brown eyes are glassy orbs. “What did they do to you?” My heart sags seeing her like this. She’s staring through me like I’m not even here.
Why did her parents bring her to this place? I know they want what’s best, but River was never one to lie or make shit up. They should’ve known she was telling the truth about me.
“I’m getting you out of here.” I stand and scoop her in my arms. I’ve zipped with her before, but I’ve never gone through walls carrying another person.
I maneuver my hand to the doorknob and pull. Carl’s standing there suddenly looking nervous. “Are-are you taking her out of here?”
“What’s it look like?”
“But you said you just wanted to see her.”
“And?” I ask.
“If you take her, it’s kidnapping.”
I laugh. “Then they can come get me. But to be clear, she’s not crazy. She never should’ve been locked up.”
“I hear she tried to kill herself,” he whispers.
My eyes twitch. That can’t be right. “I’m taking her anyway.” I head for a door markedEmergency Exit. The alarm goes off as I leave, and once we’re outside, I zip to the front door of my lake house.
I unlock the security bars and go inside, laying her floppy body on the bed. She’s mumbling something, but I can’t understand.
“Riv, what was that?”
She mumbles again.
“I don’t know what you’re saying. Try again.” I lean over her, putting my ear to her mouth.
“About fuckin’ time, ath-thole,” she mutters.
I smile.That’s my girl.“You rest. I’m going to order some groceries.” I can’t stay long because I need to be somewhere public and very visible. I’m hoping Morris takes the bait and comes looking for me. But at least River’ll be safe here for a few days. I hope.
“River, did you really try to hurt yourself?” I ask, standing in the doorway.
She stares catatonically at the ceiling, and part of me is thankful she’s out of it. I really need to paint that ceiling.
“Okay. We’ll talk once those nice, calming drugs wear off and you’ve had something to eat.” I go to the living room and text my standard order to our local delivery guy—milk, bread, eggs, etc. I get my stash of cash from under the sofa and put some in an envelope under the welcome mat.
Then I go out back and turn on the water and gas. I’m just about to tinker with the hot water heater when my phone vibrates.
I pull it from my pocket.
Kyle:Where are you?
Me:Why?
