“We’re going to get you taken care of, sweetheart,” Taylor said.
I pulled into the airport parking lot for the car rental return, and everyone got out of the car. It was as though Anna had completely shut down during the drive. I had a feeling it was a combination of leaving and knowing she’d never return and feeling as though she’d lost a child. Meanwhile, she was failing in caring for her three young children who needed her.
Taylor picked up Aurora and took hold of Bowden’s hand. I put their bag in Alek’s hands and then pulled mine and Taylor’s luggage behind me. Taylor led us to the terminal and then I sent the text to one of the pilots. Soon, he appeared and led us through a side security door to the tarmac. Security was so lax here.
“Holly will be ready to assist with anything,” the pilot said as we quickly neared the stairs to the jet.
“Alek.” I stopped at the bottom of the steps and looked at him. He really needed medical care, but he was the only one who could help me right now. “What did you yell toward the forest before you got into the car?” He remained quiet, so I tried to prompt him again. “Hmm? You said something in what I assume was Swedish. What was it?”
“Jag kommer inte att glömma dig,” he said quietly.
“What does it mean?”
“It means I won’t forget you.”
“Who were you saying it to?” I paused, hoping that he’d say something. “Were you saying it to your father?”
“No!”
“Your brother? Jensen?”
Alek nodded.
“Is he in the forest?”
Alek shrugged.
“Do you know where he is?”
Alek shook his head.
“Have you been in the shed across the lake?”
“Yes.”
“What’s in there?”
“Um, it is empty mostly. There is a mattress.”
“A mattress? For sleeping?”
“Yes.”
“Who sleeps there?”
Alek’s eyes looked away and he frowned, then grabbed his head.
“Who sleeps there, Alek?” I asked again. “Have you slept there?” He nodded. “What about Jensen?” Alek nodded again.
“Sawyer,” Taylor called from the top of the steps.
“One sec,” I hollered over the engine noise.
“Do you know what goes on in the shed, Alek?”
“Bad stuff.”
“Is Jensen in the shed?”
