Page 44 of Haunted Prey

“They're not my aunt and uncle. Not anymore,” I stated. My heart sank with dread as a thought occurred. “There hasn’t been anything on the news, right?” A part of me didn’t want to know. But another was curious.

I could tell he didn’t want to say. “Do you really want to know?”

I nodded.

“The news claims you’re still in Severfalls or some undisclosed recovery facility. And that you'resafe. On the forums, it’s a different story.”

“Forums?”

He shifted, clearing his throat. “There are people who have been following your story since you got caught giving therapy to Emery. There was an anonymous poster who claimed to know about your escape. So you can imagine all the rumors and speculation.”

Fucking great.

“That’s all it is right now,” he continued. “But I imagine if it did get on the news, it would be a real shit show.”

I cursed under my breath. “Yeah. Guess I didn’t really think about that.”

“Severfalls is trying to keep it under wraps. But who knows how long that will last. I think they're hoping to find you first before that happens.”

I felt a pang of anxiety in my gut. “I need you to swear to me, Jamie, that you won’t change your mind. I know I need help, I’m not so delusional. But not there.”

He exhaled. “I just worry things will only get worse for you, Eve, that’s all. But I swear I won’t rat on you. Liam swears too. But…if I’m forced into an interrogation, I can’t lie, understand?”

I understood thathecouldn’t. But he wasn’t me or Lena.

“Fine,” I said. “Hopefully, I’ll be gone before it gets to that.”

“Where will you go?”

“Don’t know.” But in my head, I envisioned a beach. Maybe someday…

I floated down the river to the ocean and I’m there, waiting. Waiting for you…

A shiver trailed down my spine, and I had the feeling that if I looked across the hall behind me, into the dark, I’d see a shadow moving there.

“You okay, Eve?”

I nodded even as I started to feel cold. “Yeah. I’m fine.”

I played with my cat for a while longer, petting her and giving her treats. Jamie finished his tea, then started to pack up to leave.

“I wish I could stay longer, but Ben and I have a thing tonight with our gaming group.”

“I get it.”

Carefully, he placed Sammy back into the carrier, coaxing her in with treats. I said goodbye to her as I wiggled my fingers through the door and felt her pink tongue lick my fingertips.

“I’ll text you later.” He put a hand on my shoulder and drew me into a short hug at the open door. “Whatever happens, I’ve got your back, okay?”

I smiled. “I know. You took a blow for me, remember?”

He pointed to the small scar on his head. “Yeah. How could I forget? Can’t say I’m a bad friend.”

“No, not even close.” Chuckling, I hugged him one last time.

With him gone, the silence wore in. I might not be alone in the house with Alex in his room, but I still felt very much alone.

Having Jamie visit had been exactly what I needed. And despite my anxieties, I knew I really didn’t want to be alone. Too bad Lena wasn’t coming back anytime soon.

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