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“Erin?” I call from the threshold.
“Hi,” a soft voice answers me. “Come in, Rory.”
Putting on a bright smile, I enter the room. “Hey, there,” I say, meeting Erin’s gaze. “How’re you doing today?”
“I feel much better,” she says with a smile. Using the pillows for support, she props herself to sit upright. “It’s kind of boring to be here, though,” she says with an eye roll. “There’s no cable or Netflix.”
A chuckle escapes me. “Most hospital rooms are like that,” I say. “They don’t want patients to get overexcited while watching serial killer documentaries.”
“Ugh! I’d love to watch one right now.”
Moving closer to her, I pull up the basket I’ve been carrying with me. “I knew you’d be getting bored, so I made you a care package.”
Her expression brightens immediately. Taking the basket from me, she opens the top and peeks inside.
“There are magazines and some of my old books in there,” I tell her. “Plus, lots of snacks, sweets and candies. It’s not much but they’ll get you through a couple more days.”
“What’re you talking about? These are great!” She grabs a Snickers bar from the pile and bites into it. “Thanks, Rory.”
“You’re welcome,” I say, grinning. “Now, that you’re in a better mood, I’ve got some news for you.”
She looks up at me, her smile dimming. “What is it?”
“We were able to get in touch with Laurel,” I say. “She’ll be here to see you soon.”
Anxiety spreads on her face. “I’m not sure if I’m ready to see her yet.”
“She’s very worried about you.”
Erin stares at me. “Did you tell her what happened to me?”
I nod. “I had to tell her,” I say, hoping she’d understand. “You’re still a minor, Erin. Since Laurel is looking after you, she needs to know what you went through to help you.”
“Did she sound mad?” Erin asks in a quiet voice.
“Of course, not! Your foster mom sounded extremely anxious. She’d contacted the cops when you didn’t return home after an entire day. They’ve all been looking for you.”
“Really? She went to the trouble to go to the cops?”
Sitting down on the chair beside the bed, I take her hand in mine. “Laurel might be strict but she truly cares about you. I hope you understand how lucky you are to have her in your life.”
“I know,” Erin mutters, looking away. “I just hate that I disappointed her.”
“Just get well and strong,” I say, gently caressing the young woman’s head. “Be happy and do well at school. That’s all she wants from you.”
A knock sounds from the corner. Turning around, I see a middle-aged woman standing at the doorway. Silver strands peek out through her short, dark hair. She’s wearing a long cardigan with loose slacks and looks too thin for her clothes.
An anxious expression is etched on her face as she steps inside the room.
“The nurse said my daughter was being kept here—” Her eyes widen when I shift, giving her a glimpse of Erin on the bed. “Erin!” She shouts, running toward the cot. “How are you, baby?!”
I recognize the stranger as Laurel, Erin’s foster mom.
We were able to get in touch with her after speaking to the local PD. She’d already alerted them of Erin’s disappearance and was actively searching for her daughter for a week.
“I’m so sorry,” Laurel says, caressing Erin’s head. “I’m so sorry you got hurt, honey.” She lifts Erin’s sleeves and sees the cuts and bruises on her wrists. “Did those evil assholes do this to you?”
“Laurel, just leave it,” Erin says with a sullen expression.
