Page 93 of See How They Hide

Havenwood

Six Years Ago

Riley couldn’t look Donovan in the eyes.

His little brother was dead and it was her fault.

It was late at night and she didn’t think they would make it. Andrew was walking too slow and she thought he was sick. Donovan was angry and making too much noise as they walked up the steep trail that would eventually lead to the cabin where Thalia would meet them.

James was supposed to come with them tonight. But James was dead.

She glanced back when she didn’t hear Donovan’s thrashing anymore. The two men weren’t there and she panicked. Riley backtracked and found Donovan holding Andrew upright.

“How much farther?” Donovan snapped.

“Thirty minutes. Maybe longer because we’re going slow.”

“He’s sick. Want to beat him to make him move?”

“Don’t, Donny,” Andrew said. “I’m okay.”

“You’re not okay. We should have waited until you were better.”

“We can’t wait,” Riley said. “If you’re not there when Thalia comes, she will leave and you’ll never get out.”

“I’ll take my chances in the mountains,” Donovan said. “If Thalia can find her way out, so can I.”

“Donny, we need the guide,” Andrew said weakly.

“It’s okay, baby,” Donovan said. “I’ve got you.”

So kind to Andrew, but he glared at Riley. “I’ll never forgive you,” he said. “James trusted you.”

Her chest was so tight it hurt. She turned away and continued leading Donovan and Andrew up the path.

Though late July it was cold at night. She pulled her jacket close. How many times had she done this? A half dozen? Leading others to freedom, only to return to Havenwood and pretend nothing happened.

She didn’t have much time. She had to be back before her mother or fathers woke up, or they would know. She had become so good at sneaking around, but her mother had recently started a sentry program in the summer—when people left—hoping to catch Thalia coming to the valley. Riley had to work around them, and so far their focus was on the road, not the trails leading out of the valley.

It took nearly an hour to reach the cabin. Thalia was already there.

“You’re late,” she said.

“Andrew is sick,” Donovan explained. “Can we stay here for a couple days?”

“No.” Then her voice softened. “It’s going to be hard, but we need to hike out of here. We can camp at a place I know until Andrew feels better, but we can’t stay here. Where’s James?”

Donovan’s face fell, then he glared at Riley. “He’s dead. He’s dead because of Riley.”

“What happened?”

Riley couldn’t speak of it, but Donovan did. “He fell into a trap. And she knew and didn’t help him. She let him die.”

“Calliope,” Thalia said.

“No, Riley,” Donovan spat.

Thalia looked at her oddly. Riley couldn’t explain. Her stomach twisted and all she could hear through pounding in her ears was James crying.

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