By the time they all arrive, Scout’s more alert. Drinking water and even asking for food.
In the hall, Mom slips her arm around my waist to give me a hug. Feeling her next to me is a comfort. Like I can relax for a minute. Dad grabs me and holds me close for a long moment.
“You must have been scared to death,” Mom says, tears in her eyes.
A lump forms in my throat. I never want to think about that moment of finding her again. I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to rid my mind of the horrific image.
“I was.”
Dad pats me on the shoulder. “You handled it. She’s going to be okay.”
All I can do is nod, knowing that something iswrongunder the surface.
My parents give Scout some flowers and offer to help with anything we need before they leave. Scout’s mom hasn’t left her side. And her dad looks at me like I’m a hero.
But I’m not.
Not until I eradicate whatever it is that’s causing these issues and protect her from getting hurt again.
The staff brings her a turkey sandwich, and she chews on it happily. But every few seconds, her eyes meet mine. Like she has a secret to tell.
I glance at her parents and casually scope out the hall. Then, I shut the curtain behind us, hoping no one comes close enough to hear. Sitting at her side in a small plastic chair, I trace a finger over her bandaged arm. “So what happened?”
She looks at her parents, then at me. “A cloaked man was in the apartment. I still don’t know how he got in. But he left a lollipop there to scare me. By the time I went for the gun in the bedroom, it was gone. I grabbed a kitchen knife, but we struggled. I think that’s when I got cut. And then?—”
She stops. As if the memory is too painful, or maybe too infuriating, she swallows hard before she continues. “And then, he jabbed a needle in my neck. That’s the last thing I remember.”
My jaw tightens, seeing the scene before me. Kinsley reaches across the bed and places a hand on mine. As if she’s bracing me for what she’s about to say, and I’m begging her not to. Because if I follow that thought to the end, there won’t be anything left of me to hold together.
“We need to have them do a rape kit.”
Hot tears line my eyes. I can’t even look at anyone. Turning my head to the side, I quickly hide my face.
Her father’s posture stiffens across the room.
Scout, as if unaffected by the suggestion, says, “I know, but I don’tfeelas though I had sex. I don’t think he didthatto me. And I don’t know why he didn’t finish whatever he started.”
The four of us startle as two enforcers from the university enter without warning.
“Um, excuse us!” Kinsley shouts. “This is mydaughter’sprivate room. This is a violation?—”
President Damon enters right behind them, smiling like she’s on camera. “I’m so sorry to intrude. I heard the news of the attack just now and got here as soon as I could. Mrs. Griffin? You look as if you’re doing better than the reports.”
Scout freezes. Then simply nods silently.
“Please, continue. I just need to speak to Mr. Griffin alone. Rest assured. We’ll use the full extent of our investigators and get to the bottom of who’s behind this. We won’t stand for it. Not on this campus.”
Her brunette bob doesn’t move as she strolls out of the room. She doesn’t motion for me to join, but her attitude is enough that I follow.
The enforcers lead the way to an empty conference room near the end of the hall. President Damon leans a hip against the head of the long table. She waves a graceful hand toward a chair near her. “Please, Mr. Griffin. Have a seat.”
I don’t like sitting while she’s perched there. But I obey, curious about what she’ll say.
“I asked if your wife had been struggling, and you said you’d look out for her. And now, well, it appears she’s harmed herself. In your own apartment?—”
“She says there was someone in our place. Someone’s been following her. Stalking her and leaving her gifts.”
President Damon seems bored. “I see. I’m more concerned with the fact that she hasn’t been wearing herbracelet for us to monitor her. The last time I checked in on your status was a week ago, and she still hasn’t taken the vitamins. Has she?”