“No one here will ever hurt you. Least of all on purpose.”
I shrugged.
“So, you haven’t been eating, I take it?”
I glared at the floor.
“I have a feeling that Ryker is going to make sure you eat better. If not, I certainly will be.”
“I’ll do better.” I didn’t need to be babysat.
“I’m sure you will, dear.” A pause, as though she couldn’t find the right wording. “Let’s start off where we ended the other day. You were telling me about going with a friend to a house party. What happened after Steven showed up?”
“I don’t feel good. Can I go lie down?” I peeked up at her, my heart in my throat.
Emery
As promised, Ryker returned at lunch. I knew without a doubt that he and Officer Luke had spoken. Most likely about my statement. About the case, even.
I couldn’t meet his eyes, fearing he’d look at me differently now. Surely, he knew I’d killed someone? More than just one person.
I did what I had to do to survive. It wasn’t like all the others would be popping up along the river anytime soon. I wouldn’t see any of them ever again.
On autopilot, I ate the food that was placed before me. I didn’t taste a single bite, my thoughts in the past.
I wanted to change how things turned out, but there was nothing I could do—least of all now, being kept away from the world.
Had I exchanged one hell for another? Had I chosen the right thing, turning myself in like I had?
“What’s wrong?” Ryker asked, making me startle just enough to hit my knee on the underside of the counter.
“Nothing.” Everything. It wasn’t his concern.
You made the choice. Deal with it, pig.
“Emery.” My name was spoken on a disappointed sigh.
It should have been me who’d died. Not him.
“Hey, tell me what’s wrong. Maybe I can help fix it.” Even though he hadn’t moved an inch from where he stood on the other side of the island, his voice wrapped around me.
If only it were that easy.
“You can’t fix what’s dead.”
“Try me.”
“You can’t bring him back.” I shook my head, refusing to say the name. It wasn’t like it’d change anything, anyway.
“Maybe talking about it will help?”
My shoulders slumped, head dropping to my chest. “Why am I here and not him? Why?” I glanced through my lashes at the man.
“I don’t have a clue, Emery.” His voice was rough from emotion. “Sometimes, that’s just how life works. But what you’re doing will help a lot of other people who have been where you were.”
Had he ever had to kill someone just to stay alive? Been forced to do something, more than once, to another human being just to make some sick man happy?
Instead of voicing any of the thoughts that ran through my head, I pushed away from the counter. I heard Ryker sigh, as if he wasn’t sure what to do about me or my situation.
