“Yes,” she said, trembling.
“The closet door automatically locks when you’re inside. They can’t get to you,” Patch said gently. “You’re safe, Hannah. Hannah? Answer me.”
She couldn’t. Her body’s defenses went up. Her mouth refused to move. Her body felt frozen in place. This time, it told her, there was no going back. A single tear trailed down her cheek. An image of Brody sitting at her feet while Nine, curled up at her side on the bed. A pair of blue eyes encouraged her, but Cole didn’t care. He no longer existed either.
CHAPTER 23
Patch jumpedfrom his chair at the watch station and picked up his phone, calling Sparky. When she didn’t respond, he hung up the phone and dialed Cole.
“Hey, Patch. What’s up? I checked in with Leo about the dogs. He knows I’m here,” he answered.
“It’s Hannah. She pushed the panic button in cabin four. She’s delusional. I’m heading down while Harry watches the board,” Patch informed him.
Cole heard him running and his gut twisted in knots. “I’ll be there. Don’t do anything until I arrive. She’s afraid of big men.”
“I’ll do my best. She’s not responding and thinks the rebels have found her,” Patch said, entering the cabin.
Cole hung up. “Archer,” he shouted. “I have to bug out. Watch the dogs,” he ordered.
“I got them,” Archer replied as Cole and Brody ran outside and jumped into his truck. He sped out of the parking lot and headed toward the cabins. The short drive didn’t take long, but it seemed like forever as he slammed the vehicle into park and ran toward the cabin with Brody at his heels.
Patch spoke through the door, “Hannah, it’s Patch. I’m coming in.” He knocked three times.
Cole shoved him to the side and wrenched the door open. He fell to his knees at the sight of Hannah. Her eyes appeared empty and he knew she retreated back into her shell.
“Hey, it’s Brody and me. Don’t leave us,” he pleaded. “You haven’t named Nine yet. The new dogs arrived and they’re sick. I’m sorry I haven’t come to see you. One has an infected cut on his leg,” he said softly, inching closer to her. He saw the blood on her pants and noticed the knife. He signaled to Patch, letting him know.
“I’m taking the weapon. You don’t need it anymore,” he said gently.
She gripped the knife tighter, her eyes still blank.
Brody lay on his stomach and moved forward as if sensing her disappearing before their eyes. He whined and nudged her hand, entreating her to pet him.
“Brody’s missed you. He keeps running to the door and asking to visit you.” On cue, the animal gently licked her hand and then her cheek.
Her hand shook as she let the knife drop to the floor, and her hand clung to Brody’s fur. Tears rolled down her cheeks.
“I don’t want to go back,” she whispered.
“I’m taking you to the hospital. Kassie will check out your leg. You cut it by accident,” he told her.
She shook her head. “No. I’m not going back. I can’t stay in a little room again. I need the air and want to see the moon. My father’s determined to make me leave. You must think I’m crazy,” she whispered.
“Never. You served your country and saw some shit like the rest of us. No one judges or points fingers here,” he assured her.
She pressed her face against Brody’s coat and sobbed.
Cole removed the knife and passed it to Patch. “Can you stand? I’ll help you up, we’ll let Patch see to your leg, then we’ll decide on what to do.”
Hannah nodded jerkily as he rose and helped her to her feet.
Patch moved out of the way while Cole assisted her to the bed. Brody jumped up on the mattress and pressed to her side.
“I’ll grab my bag. You know I have to call this in,” Patch warned him.
“You can do it, but I’m not letting her go back. We’ll lose her if they put her in the hospital,” he explained.
Patch shook his head as he texted Leo and Doc. He cut through Hannah’s pants to check her wound.
