Page 33 of See How They Hide

Twenty minutes later, Andrew came out carrying an overnight bag. Donovan wasn’t with him.

“We’ll drive to Denver and get a room. It’s a four-hour drive from there, and I don’t want to drive in the snow.”

“The sky’s pretty clear,” Riley said. “I can help drive since it’s late.”

“Trust me,” he said, “it’ll be snowing within an hour.”

She pushed her guilt aside. “We can leave first thing in the morning. I’ll sleep in my car—I don’t want to cause problems with Donovan.”

“No,” was all he said.

“I’m sorry.” Shewassorry, but how many times would she feel like she had to apologize because she was Calliope’s daughter? How long would she have guilt for things she hadn’t even done?

Andrew unlocked the truck, took her bag and put it behind the passenger seat along with his. Then he walked around to the driver’s side, got in, turned the ignition.

“Riley,” he began, then sighed and rubbed his face.

She’d practically grown up with Andrew. She’d confided in him. He was the big brother she’d always wanted. But so much had happened and she knew, deep down, that he partly blamed her for all the bad things that happened in Havenwood. Not because of what she did, but because of her mother. She tried to understand why some people couldn’t separate her from Calliope.

Because sometimes, she went along with the insanity thinking she could change her mother. But you can’t change people, especially someone who thinks they are never wrong.

“I’ll take you to Jesse, make sure he’s okay, and that’s it. I never want to see you again. I’m sorry,” he said quickly. “That came out worse than I wanted. This isn’t about you. I’ve always cared for you, Riley. I don’t blame you for anything you did or didn’t do, and I will always be grateful to you for getting Donovan and me out of that hellhole. It’s Havenwood and the twisted people who live there. Seeing you brings it all back.”

She knew how Andrew felt. Becausebeingher was just as bad. “I don’t blame you and Donovan for hating me.”

“I don’t hate you, Riley. Donovan—his emotions are still raw when it comes to his brother. But I can’t look at you and not see her.”

She knew he was talking about her mother. She nodded, understanding, even if deep down she didn’t. Not really.

I’m not my mother!Riley told herself.

Yet, she was alone. She lived in the world, but no one really saw her. No one could understand what it was like to be in her shoes. Nor would they want to try.

“We’ve done everything possible to forget Havenwood. I don’t want to lose what I have now, what Donovan and I have built together,” Andrew said. “You of all people should understand that.”

She was Calliope’s daughter, a pariah. Anyone who came into her life was in danger. Calliope might believe she was dead and gone, but that wouldn’t matter to those who had lived there for so long, like Andrew.

Maybe Thalia had been right and Riley should have stayed for the greater good. If she had sacrificed herself for others, Calliope would never have sent people out to hunt those who escaped.

Thalia had never wanted her to leave. And Andrew believed the same.

She had been selfish three and a half years ago when she faked her death and walked away with Jane. But she didn’t regret it, even if that meant she would be alone for the rest of her life.

“You’ll never have to see me again,” Riley said.

Andrew backed out of the driveway and headed south toward the interstate.

12

Havenwood

Seventeen Years Ago

Calliope kissed her beautiful girl on the top of her glorious red head and laughed. “Oh, Riley, it’s a beautiful day!”

She swung her daughter around in the meadow, laughing at the fit of giggles coming from the five-year-old.

They collapsed in the meadow and looked up at the clear blue sky. Riley asked questions. Always, lots of questions! Calliope knew that was normal for a young child, but some questions she didn’t want to answer. She didn’t want to explain why she never went with Daddy Robert and the others when they sold their crafts. Why she never went to town to buy goods they couldn’t grow or make here in their valley.

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