“Why? This isn’t making any sense. Do you really think he’s going after Tori and Nina? You don’t know any of this for certain,” Parker says from the doorway.
“You saw what he’s capable of,” I say, gathering the pictures and papers and placing them back inside the wooden box. The top is decorated with the intricate carving of a girl with a basket, picking flowers while a fox hides in the branches of an apple tree. When I was little, I thought this box was filled with magic. Now I know it’s filled with hate. “They’re my best friends, Parker. They humiliated him. And he’s on some sort of power kick. I can’t risk not trying to at least warn them.”
I know, call it instinct or whatever, that he’s trying to hurt the people I care about to get to me. And it can’t just be to keep me quiet. But that’s what I don’t understand.
First, he drugged us and led Ashton away, leaving me unable to defend her. Then he did something to my mother, maybe switched her medication, which could’ve killed her if she’d been home alone. I’m tempted to think he did something to Allie while I was visiting her, but I can’t imagine him having that kind of access, no matter who his grandfather is. Honestly, I may have done that to her … hearing my voice could’ve freaked her out, even in her comatose state.
I don’t understand what the deranged lunatic is up to, but I can’t wait around to find out.
“Will you call Nina? See where she is?”
Parker still appears skeptical.
“Please, Parker,” I plead emphatically.
He nods with a heavy sigh and steps into the living room with his phone to his ear. Joey has remained in the living room, texting someone. Hopefully finding out if Allie’s okay.
Speaking of … I call Nick.
“Hi. I didn’t find the medication. Is it in her things?”
“No,” Nick answers. “But Olivia gave Dr. Nolan the name of the specialist she took her to, so they should be able to find out.”
“Is there …” I take a breath before continuing, knowing this is going to sound insane. “Do you think they can run a blood test? Make sure she was really taking the medication she was prescribed? I’m wondering if maybe it wasn’t what she was supposed to be taking.”
“Why would you think that?” Nick asks in concern.
“I just have a feeling,” I answer as honestly as I can. “She has so many prescription bottles here; maybe she took the wrong one.”
“I’ll ask,” he says. “She’s getting an EKG right now. I know they were planning to draw blood too, so I’ll see if they can test for the medication. Not sure how that works. Are you on your way back?”
“If she’s still getting tested, then I’m going to go visit Nina and Tori real quick. But please text me when you know anything?”
“Of course. When she woke, she was asking if someone called you. I let her know you’re here,” he tells me. “She doesn’t want you to worry without knowing what’s wrong. I told her that’s what people who love each other do.”
I bite my lip, wondering if she’s forgiven me for what I said to her at Blackwood.
“Tell her I’ll be back as soon as I can. Do you need me to get anything for her while I’m at the apartment?”
“Maybe a few personal supplies,” Nick suggests. “I’m not sure how long they’re planning to keep her here.”
“Okay. I’ll see you in an hour or so. Nick …” I don’t know why my chest tightens when I say this. I mean, I don’t have to say it at all, but … I also need to. “I’m glad you’re there with her.” I hang up before he can respond. That’s as much honesty as I can handle sharing right now.
Needing to chill out and shut down my emotions, I sit on the edge of her bed and take a breath. I try to relax, clear my head and not let panic or even anger cloud my thoughts. I have to figure out what Vic’s up to. And what this has to do with our parents.
Everything that has happened since the night at The Point is connected in some way, like the wallpaper in my grandmother’s—and now my—bedroom that I strip while lying in bed. Every time I peel back a torn edge, there’s another hideous print beneath. Eventually, I’ll unveil the truth, no matter how marred and ugly it is.
I search my mother’s closet and place a few items in an overnight bag. I don’t know what to pack, so I choose a few comfortable clothes in case they let her wear something other than the johnny. Some toiletries. The romance novel that was splayed on her nightstand. And her favorite quilt hanging on the back of the rocking chair. My grandmother made this for her when my mother was a girl. The squares are made up of scenes from nursery rhymes and fairytales. The colors are faded after years of use and washing, but it’s extremely soft—probably for the same reason.
I draw it up under my nose and inhale it. It smells of my mother—jasmine and spice. There have been so many stories told in this house, read to me while sitting in this rocking chair, bound in the quilt. And no matter how fantastical the tales my grandmother read to me of princesses and dragons or fae and their trickery, she left out the story that started within these walls. The true story about a child—actually five children who are tied together for reasons I’ve yet to understand. The story I’m living right now, woven with lies and deceit. Anger and betrayal. Hopefully, its ending isn’t tragic.
“They’re at Stella’s,” Parker announces, his voice spinning me around.
He looks down at the quilt in my hands. I blink away the ill-fated tales unraveling in my head and stuff it into the overnight bag.
“Why would they be at Stella’s? Please don’t tell me they’re eating.” I cringe at the thought of it.
“I don’t know. But I told Nina to stay there.”
Joey appears in the doorway behind his brother. “Dad just called. He asked me to pick up some papers that need to be delivered to the courthouse this morning.” He looks to me. “I’ll meet you at the hospital after?”
“Did you hear anything about Allie?”
He shakes his head. His eyes dip sorrowfully. “Not yet.”
“You don’t need to go back to the hospital with me,” I assure him. “I’ll be okay.”
He hesitates, conflicted. “Okay. Uh, your sandwich and coffee are on the table if you still want them. I’ll give Parker your backpack and check in with you later. Okay? I may go to the hospital anyway … for Allie.”
“Thanks.” I smile softly and watch him leave.
I know he wants to be there for me, but I fear I’m blurring the lines between us, depending on him and letting him comfort me. I feel connected to him; that’s undeniable. But I’m not in love with him. Even the threads of lust that once entwined us have snapped. I didn’t realize it until now. They’re gone. The enchantment has been lifted. There’s only one person that I’m entwined with now.
“Um, can I meet you downstairs in a minute?” I ask Parker as he waits patiently, leaning against the doorframe. “I need to make a quick call.”
He eyes the Blackwood phone in my hand and nods in understanding, his mouth drawn.