Page 73 of Little Twisted Things

“I suppose for today we are.”

“Great.” I left her office.

One of the orderlies gripped my arm.

“Excuse me?” I stared at him. “Do not put your hands on me.” I jerked out of his grip.

He looked at Dr. Bondi.

“It’s okay, George.”

“What is wrong, Katherine? Talk to me.”

I stopped in the middle of the hallway and stared at him, my brows furrowing.

“Is something going on between you and Katherine?” My brow arched.

“No. Absolutely not. And why are you referring to yourself in the third person?”

“Because, George.” I popped my lips. “I’m not Katherine. The name is Dahlia.” I continued down the hallway.

“What?”

I reached my room. “Whatever arrangement you and Katherine have. It doesn’t apply to me. Go away.” I shooed him and shut the door.

I sat on the bed and brought my knees up to my chest. There was someone else. Someone none of us had known existed. I always prided myself on control. I knew every corner of my mind. The memories. Every voice. Now I’d realized I’d been living my entire life inside a house with a locked room that I didn’t know was there. I was the only one she tried to force out. But I was strong and never let her. But she was strong enough to put us all to sleep.

“Think, Dahlia.” I jumped up from the bed and paced around the room.

I needed to find her. To get to her. I needed to find out who she was and why she was torturing us. She’d never hurt Katherine as far as I knew. What was her purpose? What did she want with us?

I continued pacing around the room and stopped when I heard a small voice.

43

“Dahlia, you’re awake.”

“Sydney? Are you okay?”

“I’m scared, Dahlia.”

“Go to the cottage. Katherine is there. She’ll protect you.”

“But—”

“Go now, Sydney.”

I needed to find the others and wake them. I lay on the bed and closed my eyes. I took in several deep breaths until my mind relaxed.

I suddenly found myself in a forest. It was eerie, and I didn’t like it. Crows cried overhead as they flew through the sky. I looked up at the trees. They swayed back and forth as dark clouds rolled in. I made my way into the deep pockets of the forest, searching for anything that would lead me to the system. Suddenly, I found myself standing on the peak of a mountain, looking down. Through the spooky-looking trees, I saw a dilapidated house. Siding falling off. Worn roof. The screen door was half off its hinges, slamming into the house in the wind.

I made my way down the mountain and through the forest until I reached the house. I placed my hand on the doorknob and slowly opened the door. That’s when I saw her. The Librarian. Sitting up in a wing-backed chair, clutching a book against her chest. Her eyes were open, but she didn’t move or make a sound when I stepped into the room.

“Librarian, wake up.” I gripped her shoulder and shook her.

I looked down and noticed her ankles were chained to the chair.

“Who did this to you? Wake up.” I shook her.