Page 10

A car honks in the background. Not the quiet, unsettling silence of Stormwood where she lives and works. It’s busy…like she’s here in the city. “Why don’t you want to meet me at the station?”

She is officially on desk duty for the foreseeable future. I heard it was because of a fight she got in at a local Stormwood bar where she put a man in the hospital. She’s only out of jail because of her connections. It’s not surprising she wants to work in the shadows.

“This isn’t official business. At least not yet.”

My tongue turns to ash. “What the hell is it? You’re scaring me.”

“I’m not sure what’s happening. I have something important to show you that changes everything. Can you meet me tomorrow?”

“I can’t tomorrow. But I can try to meet you on Sunday.” I freeze as a tingling sensation flows up my spine. “Should I be worried?”

She lets out a deep sigh, her voice tight as she bombards me with questions: “Have you seen anything unusual? Anything out of place at all? Is anyone following you?”

Her questions are uncanny, as if she can read my mind. However, I’m not disillusioned enough to believe she doesn’t have an ulterior motive for questioning me. When people die on their birthdays every year, it’s hard not to take notice. Statistically, it’s impossible for a town our size.

“No,” I lie. “Everything is normal.”

I can’t say anything. Beth’s almost committed me twice since my rescue. If I hint that a part of me believes her or that I believe the Archer is real, Regina and Beth will throw me in a hospital without hesitation. Even now, I’m hanging on by a thread.

She continues, “You can trust me, Layla. I vowed to keep you safe when you were little, and I will continue to keep you safe even if I die doing it.”

My stomach twists up. “Sarah…don’t say things like that.”

“Can’t help it. I want to see you succeed. I’ll see you soon, kid. I’ll ping you the spot.” She hangs up, leaving me staring at the wall, lost in thought about the deaths in my hometown and what they mean. I snap myself out of it. I can’t let Sarah Crawley pull me into this dark hole. Toby was the one responsible for what happened to me. Case closed.

I place my hands on the sink and admire the work I’ve done on my face. My eyeliner is thick, my dark hair curled in pretty waves, and my little black dress presses out my breasts. I check my thighs, making sure I’ve covered the little bruises. I’m as polished and put together as I used to be, but underneath the surface is that wild girl found stumbling along a dirt road in the forest, stripped of all dignity.

That’s who I really am.

My phone lights up next to me.

Gabe: See you in a minute, beautiful.

I type out a quick response.

Layla: I’ll be right down.

He responds immediately.

Gabe: I’ll come up.

Shit.

Layla: Can’t let you in. The painting isn’t ready.

Cursing under my breath, I grab my purse and open the door to find Gabe standing with his arms crossed, leaning against the wall. His lips are tight, and he’s dressed in pants that are too short on him and is wearing shoes with no socks. His long hair is tucked behind his ears. My friends from back home, Gabriella and Keely, swoon over him…I just don’t see the appeal.

His eyes roam my body, his lips biting at the skimpy dress I chose to wear this evening, and he peers into my apartment at the art I still have sitting on the coffee table.

I lift my finger to stop him, giving him a coy smile. Not that I want to flirt with him, but I can’t let anyone see this art until I understand what it means.

Even though I’ve finished a few other pieces—dark, edgier stuff—this is the one everyone is waiting for, and I haven’t shown it to a single person. This art reflects my soul and the images I remember most from my time in captivity. Each part of my story, my hurt, my anger, my love. All of it ends up on the canvas. Sometimes I worry that the canvas is sucking the life out of me, pulling all my essence into it, and when I finally finish the piece, there won’t be anything left.

“Everything okay? I heard you talking to someone.”

I twist the lock on my door, double-check it, then spin around to face him, smiling sweetly as I regain my composure. “Everything is fine. I was talking to my mom.”

His eyes flash in a way I don’t enjoy, considering I just mentioned my mother. Beth is powerful, so it’s not surprising she’s caught the attention of a guy like Gabe, but still… “How is Beth?”