Lisa pushed the door open and stepped aside, gesturing for us to enter first.
The room was small and sparse, with a single bed, a desk and chair, and a narrow window that looked out over the grounds. Sitting cross-legged on the bed was a young woman with long brown hair. She wore gray sweatpants and an oversized green sweater, and her face was pale, almost gaunt.
Jennifer Albright.
She put down the book she was reading as we entered, and for a moment, she just stared at us, blue eyes moving from Cherry to me and back again.
This was it. This was where she'd blow our cover.
But then her face broke into a smile; wide and genuine and almost childlike in its joy.
"It’s about time!" she said, her voice trembling with emotion. “I haven’t seen you guys in ages!”
Before either of us could respond, she scrambled off the bed and threw her arms around Cherry, pulling her into a tight hug. Cherry stood frozen for a split second before returning the embrace, and I could see the confusion in her eyes over Jennifer's shoulder.
Jennifer released Cherry and turned to me, pulling me into a hug just as tight. “I've missed you both so much,” she murmured against my shoulder.
Lisa beamed from the doorway. “See? I told you she'd be happy,” she said. “I'll leave you three to catch up. Just come find me at the nurses' station when you're ready to leave, okay?”
“Thank you,” I managed, my arms awkwardly wrapped around Jennifer.
The door clicked shut, and Lisa's footsteps faded down the hallway.
Jennifer pulled back, and the smile on her face faltered. The joy in her eyes had dimmed, replaced by something sharper. More aware.
“Don’t worry,” she said, gaze flitting between me and Cherry. “I’m notthatfar gone. I know you aren’t really my cousins.”
“Why did you let us in, then?” Cherry asked.
“It’s pretty boring in here most of the time,” she said. “So when my therapist came to approve the visit with me, and I realized you were lying about being family members to get in… well, I figured that might be the best entertainment I get all month.”
“Ah.”
“So, what are your real names?” Jennifer asked, one brow arching.
“I’m Violet,” I replied. “And this is Cherry.”
“Well, Violet and Cherry, what can I do for you?” she asked. Her head tilted slightly. “Are you reporters hoping to do an exposé on our state’s mental health facilities?”
“No, not reporters.” I took a deep, steadying breath before I spoke up. “I know this might be difficult for you to talk about, and it really isn’t our intention to upset you, but… we’re actually here to ask you some questions about the Dionysus Club.”
Her face darkened, and she turned to look out the window. “I can’t talk about that,” she said abruptly. “And if you knowanythingabout the Dionysus Club, you know exactly why.”
“Please,” Cherry said, taking a step forward. “Violet's sister died because of those guys. They pushed her off the clock tower during last year's hunt.”
Jennifer turned back to look at us, brows drawn in a frown. “They killed a Selection girl?”
“Yes. That’s why we’re looking into them,” I said. “We need answers. And we need justice. For Calista. That was her name.”
Sympathy flickered across her face. “I’m really sorry for your loss,” she said. “I’ve lost someone special too, and I never stop thinking about it. So believe me, I know exactly how you feel. But I still can’t help you.”
“Why not?” I asked, frustration bleeding into my voice.
“The Club made me sign an NDA,” she said, her voice dropping to barely above a whisper. “If I talk about anything that happened at the estate, they'll know. And if they know...”
She trailed off, and I took a slow step closer. “We won’t say a single word about anything you tell us, I swear. They’ll never know.”
“You don't understand,” she said, shaking her head. “Even if I decide to trust you… they're everywhere. They're always watching.”
