Page 16 of He Will Come for Me

“I’ll save you some too, Rex.”

“That’s very kind of you, Miss McKenzie.”

I arch an eyebrow at him over my shoulder. “Don’t be nice to me just because I had an episode.”

His eyes narrow. “You didn’t have an episode. You had a memory. And I can be nice to you when I want to. It’s my prerogative.” He sounds so offended, I smirk.

“Sorry. Didn’t mean to offend you.” I suck in a breath. I’m letting my guard down with everyone in this house. I need to stop. Ignoring Rex, I grab a spatula and make sure the cookie batter mixed well before I begin scooping it out onto the cookie sheet.

Placing the cookie sheet in the oven, I set the timer and walk to the library to grab a book to read while they’re baking. I grab the book I’ve been reading and walk out, noticing Phoenix’s office door is cracked open.

Glancing down the hallway, I listen to see if I hear anyone. Taking a deep breath to try to calm my racing heart, I slip into his office. I’ve only been in here once. He told me I could come in anytime I’d like, but I don’t know if that meant only if he was here or not.

I probably know the answer to that, but ignore it for now. Now that I’m in here, I’m not sure what to do.Should I try to look for clues about how he found me or even why he took me?Tiptoeing to his desk, I try to open one of the drawers, but it’s locked. I try the other drawers, but they’re all locked, too.

He’s never left his office door open before. Was he in a hurry to leave? It doesn’t seem like something he’d forget to do.

Turning around to look at the bookshelves behind his desk, I look at the titles to see what all he has in here. Maybe one of them will give me a clue. I don’t touch anything, so I don’t put anything out of place. I know I only have a few more minutes before the cookies will be done, so I scan my eyes quickly. I stop on a book that isn’t flush with the other books. Glancing behind me to make sure I haven’t been caught, I slowly slide it out.

It’s a journal. Flipping through it, I stop when I see a photo stuck in it like a bookmark. Glancing over my shoulder one more time, I take it out and my heart stops.

The picture is folded in half longways. It’s of me and Anna, my best friend from the academy. We’re in our uniforms laughing at something. It was folded with Anna facing forward. I haven’t talked to her in years. We drifted apart, just like I did with everyone else at school.

Is Anna Phoenix’s wife?I want to pocket the picture, but I know better than to leave any evidence behind that I was in here. Looking at the photo one more time, I take a deep breath and put everything back where I found it. I even leave the book out a little. Quickly grabbing the book I got from the library, I walk to the door and peek out.

No one is in the hallway, so I leave Phoenix’s door cracked a little and walk back to the kitchen. It wouldn’t surprise me if Anna married Phoenix. She always had a crush on him, just like our other friend Timothy and every other girl in our class, and some of the guys, too. I make it to the oven just as the timer goes off. Sitting my book on the counter, I grab an oven mitt and take the cookies out.

Did Anna get kidnapped too?Maybe I need to figure out what happened to me and how I ended up in that godforsaken place before I try to escape. Obviously, I won’t get any answers from anyone else.

Chapter 8

Every day I bake something different. I’ve baked chocolate chip cookies, chocolate lava cake, blueberry muffins, and today I’m making red velvet cupcakes. Phoenix has been really busy this week and has been gone almost every day before I wake up. He always makes it home to eat dinner, though.

Home? Is that what this place is becoming to me?I haven’t had another memory. Dr. Chamberland came to check on me yesterday, along with Dr. Pearl. She told me it would be a good idea to write the memories as they come and as soon as it happens so I don’t forget. I’m not ready to begin talking about anything, so she said she’ll check in on me once a month until I’m ready.

Last night at dinner, Phoenix gave me the journal that I leafed through in his office. Was it a coincidence? I’m not sure, but Ikept my face neutral as he handed it to me. When we were done eating, I went to my room and wrote down the memory I had a few days ago.

I wish I could remember more. The sound of the man’s voice is fuzzy, and I never looked at him. Sighing, I stop the mixer and begin scooping cake batter into the cupcake liner.

“Red velvet cake?” Phoenix asks and I nearly drop the spoon. Turning to face him, he raises his eyebrows at me.

“What are you doing here? I thought you were gone,” I ask as I turn my focus back to the cupcakes. He walks over and leans his hip against the counter, crossing his tattooed arms over his chest. I ignore how his T-shirt clings to his biceps. He’s normally dressed in black slacks and a button-up shirt, but today he’s in sweats and a T-shirt.

I’m in sweats and a T-shirt too, but I look frumpy while he looks like a dream. He sticks his finger out to scrape out some of the batter, but I slap his hand. My eyes widen at my reaction, but I’m in it now, so I go with it.

“Wait until they’re done,” I scold. Glancing at him out of the corner of my eye to gauge his reaction, I’m surprised by the small smile on his lips. I wish he’d step closer to me. I wish he’d hang out with me all day. I force myself to look at his wedding band and remind myself he’s taken.

Clearing my throat, I continue to scoop batter into the cupcake pan. “Umm… I was wondering. Where is your wife?” He tenses next to me and pushes away from the counter.Why did I say anything? He was at ease.It’s for the best, though. I needed a reminder of where I stand with him.I’m his prisoner, nothing more.

“She’s gone,” he answers. I pause, surprised he answered my question. After the last one is filled, I take the pan to the oven, put it in, and set the timer. Turning my attention to him, I study him for a moment as he leans back against the kitchen island.

“Where did she go?” A look of pain crosses his face.

Did she leave him, or is she dead? She’s gone could mean a lot of different things.

“She was kidnapped,” he answers.Oh god. He was looking for her and he found me instead.I want to ask if Anna is his wife, but then he’ll know I was snooping in his office.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper. He doesn’t respond, not that I expected him to. I’m at a loss for words when Phillip walks into the kitchen.

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