The elevator doors closed around them, and Piper's reflection in the polished metal looked back at Jenna with clearer eyes.On the ground floor, they stepped back into the crisp morning air and crossed the parking lot in companionable silence.
Once settled in the car, Jenna started the engine but didn't immediately put the vehicle in drive.She turned to Piper, who was gazing out at the hospital with a thoughtful expression.
“You seem better,” Jenna observed.
Piper turned to face her.“I feel more...anchored, I guess.Like I'm starting to find solid ground.”
Jenna pulled out of the parking space, steering them toward the hospital exit.“Do you want to talk about it?The session, I mean.”
Piper was quiet for a moment, watching the town of Trentville come into view as they left the hospital grounds behind.“Dr.White thinks I should start thinking about what comes next.Not just existing day to day, but building something.”
“Like what?”Jenna asked, hope stirring.
“Maybe a job.Something simple at first.Or continuing my education.I never finished high school, you know.Not as Piper Graves, anyway.”She smiled wryly.“Emma Kirby didn't either.”
Jenna felt a surge of pride.This was the most Piper had spoken about future plans since her return.“That sounds promising.Any thoughts about what kind of job might interest you?”
“Something quiet.Maybe at the library?I've always loved books.Dr.White says the structure would be good for me, and—”
Piper stopped abruptly, her body going rigid in the passenger seat.Her hands gripped the edges of her seat.
“Piper?”Jenna glanced over, alarmed.She pulled the car to the shoulder of the road, putting it in park.“What's wrong?”
Piper's face had drained of color, her eyes wide and unfocused.When she spoke, her voice emerged as a whisper, thick with dread.“The wolf.The wolf is out hunting.”
“What do you mean?”
“I see the vultures circling.”Piper's gaze remained fixed on something Jenna couldn't see, something beyond the windshield, beyond the physical world around them.“They’ll show you where to find the wolf.You have to cut open his belly.”
Jenna reached out, placing her hand on Piper's arm.Her sister's skin felt cold beneath her touch.“Piper, I don't understand.Is this...are these the voices?”
Before Piper could answer, the police radio crackled to life.Jake's voice cut through the static.
“Sheriff?You copy?”
Jenna grabbed the radio.“I'm here, Jake.What's up?”
“We've got a situation.Trentville Elementary called the station this morning—Claudia Kingsley didn't show up to teach her class.”Jake's voice was clipped, efficient.“No call in sick, no request for a substitute.She’s not answering her phone.Principal said it's completely out of character for her.”
Jenna glanced at Piper, whose gaze had now shifted to the radio, alert and focused.“Did someone check her house?”
“Yeah, that's the thing.Her car is in the driveway, but no one's answering the door.Neighbors haven't seen her since yesterday afternoon.”A pause, then, “I'm heading over there now with Officers Miller and Ramirez.Thought you'd want to know.”
“You're right.I'll meet you there.”Jenna glanced at Piper, whose breathing had steadied but whose face remained pale.“I need to drop Piper at Mom's first.Twenty minutes, tops.”
“Copy that.We'll secure the scene until you arrive.”
Jenna replaced the radio and turned to her sister.“Are you okay?”
“It's passing now.”Piper swallowed hard.“Did you...did you understand what I was saying?”
“About the wolf?And vultures?”Jenna shook her head, pulling the car back onto the road.“No.But I'm starting to think it must have something to do with Claudia Kingsley.”
“The teacher Jake said was missing?”Piper frowned.“I don't know her.”
“You wouldn't.She moved to Trentville about four years ago.Mid-thirties, teaches fourth grade.She and her husband Keir separated a few months ago.”
Silence filled the car as Jenna accelerated, heading toward their mother's house.She needed to get Piper safely home and then find out what waited for them at Claudia Kingsley's home.