Page 170 of Hunting Pretty

Liath’s breaths were coming in frantic gasps, a cold sweat beading across her forehead as she shivered violently.

But Dr. Vale would not release her from her nightmare. “Who, Liath? Who is touching you?”

Liath let out a scream as she fought off a ghost, her arms flailing as she kicked and struggled with the demon in her memory.

Dr. Vale moved to sit on the chaise and grabbed Liath’s arms. “Who? Say it.”

Liath sobbed and shook her head.

“Say his name,” Dr. Vale demanded as he shook her hard, “and I shall bring you back.”

Liath let out a cry, then a man’s name escaped her lips like a curse.

A name Irecognized.

Dr. Vale let go of Liath, shifting back to his own chair. He turned to stare directly at the camera with something that looked like victory.

Then finally, he clapped.

Liath shuddered and collapsed, her sobs subsiding. Her chest heaved as her breaths came in shuddering gasps.

Dr. Vale sniffed as he straightened his sleeves, as if his physical exertion in forcing a name out of Liath was distasteful.

Liath’s eyes flickered open, her pupils blown wide, as if she was coming out of a nightmare.

In a way she was.

But in a way, her nightmare was only just beginning.

She wiped at her streaming tears and her nose, her fingers trembling. “Oh my God. I remember. He… I remember what he did to me.”

Dr. Vale stood and walked over to his cabinet, opening it up and taking out a vial and a fresh needle. He sucked up some of the clear liquid into his syringe.

“Liath, I’m going to give you something to calm you, okay?”

Dr. Vale walked to Liath’s chaise as he flicked the syringe, prepping it.

Run,I wanted to scream as the broken girl cried with her hands over her face.

Even though I knew she would go missing not four hours later.

Dr. Vale placed a firm hand on her shoulder, ignoring as she flinched. “Hold still.”

Liath winced. “What are you—ow!”

Dr. Vale injected her with the liquid before she could protest any further.

“You should start feeling better soon.” He patted her shoulder, then straightened.

His stare found the camera again, but his words were for Liath. “It’s a shame that you now remember.”

The video cut out so all I saw was a black screen.

In my reflection I saw pure disgust, murderous rage. I was panting, practically foaming at the mouth like a rabid dog.

There was no doubt in my mind that Dr. Vale was involved with the missing girls. No doubt in my mind that Dr. Vale was covering for someone.

Shit. And Ava was with him now.

---