Neighbors of Sapphire Valley
Jayde(?)
Do we have a doctor in this valley?
I look up at Levi, who has since pulled out his phone and is shaking his head.
“That cabin needs to get its shit together. He’s causing a lot of unwanted attention.” He flicks his gaze to mine. “You’re a nurse, right?”
Turning back to my phone, I fire off a text in the group chat.
I’m a nurse, what’s up?
My phone begins to ring, Jayde’s name lighting up the screen.
“Let me know if you need anything else. Have a good day, Ayden.”
Before I answer the call, I ask, “In the box… is something dead in there?”
He doesn’t respond, just keeps walking away. His words,You’re smart, Ayden, ringing loudly in my ear. Yeah, there was definitely something dead in there.
I press the phone to my ear, and say, “Hello?”
I’m completely thrown when it isn’t a girl on the other end, but an extremely deep, burly voice. “Hi. What’s your name?”
I swallow hard and turn toward the lake. From here, a small island rises in the middle, blocking the view of Starlight Peak, though I know it’s just beyond, maybe a mile up.
“Ayden, from Wildhart.”
“Ayden from Wildhart, are you familiar with stitching up wounds?”
Heat rushes through me. Remembering my search on him—his missing family—that question sends a chill straight to my core.
“I’m an ICU nurse. Of course I am. What… do you need sutured?”
“Thank fuck. You’re lucky, sweetheart.” I’mpositiveI hear mumbling in the background.
I wet my lips. “Excuse me?”
“Not talking to you. Can you come sew me up? We’ve had a mishap, and I’d rather not die today.”
Oh shit.
I bolt up the stairs. “Call an ambulance! Why are you asking your neighbors?!” Even as I say it, I’m already grabbing our first aid kit.
“That’s complicated. I hear you running. So you’ll help?”
“Well… yes! Of course.”
“Good. Because if I die, so does she.”
My heart leaps into my throat. “Excuse me?”
“I’m not going to stab her,like she did me.” Muffled screaming buzzes in the background. “Settle your ass down. This is on you.” He releases a very frustrated sigh. “Look. She’s tied up, and willstay that way until I’m not at risk ofdying.If I die, she starves to death.”
I mumble because the urge to say ‘I’ll just call the police’ is at the tip of my tongue.
“And no. There will be no finding her.”
