Page 43 of Mine To Hunt

I shake my head quickly, the insistence rising alongside the tight knot of fear in my chest. “Please, Mads.” My voice drops. “I just need some space. My parents’ flat. It’s quiet there.”

I force a small smile. “I’ll call if anything’s up. Promise.”

Maddie sighs, clearly unconvinced. But after a moment she flicks on the turn signal and steers the car toward the older part of town.

“Fine.” She mutters. Her tone carries reluctant acceptance. “But I’m not happy about it.”

She glances at me again. “Text me when you get inside. And call if you need a ride back. Or anything. Seriously.”

The city slowly shifts around us as we drive. The streets grow quieter. Older. More familiar.

Soon the rundown flat building comes into view, its faded brick walls and flickering stairwell light exactly the way I remember.

Memories flood back before I can stop them. This was the last place Mom and Dad lived. The place they left me after the crash. Now it’s just dust and quiet hallways filled with echoes.

Maddie pulls the car to the curb. Neither of us moves for a moment. Then she leans over and wraps me in a tight hug before I can even open the door.

“Love you.” She murmurs. Her arms squeeze tighter. “Call whenever. Day or night.”

"Thanks for today." I say, waving as she drives off, then head inside, the key turning stiff in the lock.

The flat greets me with silence. Dust lies over everything like a thin shroud, untouched and forgotten, but my eyes go straight to the mantel.

The family photo still stands there, slightly crooked. Mom’s warm smile. Dad’s arm wrapped around her shoulders. Me in the middle, gap-toothed and grinning like the world could never hurt me.

For a moment, the memories come too fast. Movie nights stretched across the living room floor. Popcorn fights that ended with Mom pretending to scold us while laughing anyway. Dadrunning beside me as I wobbled on my bike, his hand hovering just behind the seat, ready to catch me if I fell.

Mom’s voice drifting through my bedroom at night as she read stories until my eyelids grew heavy.

My chest tightens. Tears blur the photo as I lift it from the mantel, fingers curling around the frame like it might anchor me.

“Why did you leave me all alone?” I whisper. My voice breaks. “I needed you. I still do.”

The words collapse into quiet sobs before I can stop them. I swipe at my face with the back of my hand, forcing myself to breathe. Crying won’t fix anything. Falling apart won’t either.

Maddie can’t be dragged into this. Not after that text. Whoever is watching me has already proven how far they can reach.

And Ryan… Ryan isn’t safe for different reasons. His temper is a fuse waiting to burn down.

I set the photo back where it belongs and grab a rag from the drawer. Cleaning gives my hands something to do. I dust the shelves, the table, the counters.

I sweep the floor, the grit crunching under the broom. The repetition dulls the edge of my panic, each motion grounding me a little more than the last.

This place may be abandoned, but it’s still standing. For now, it’s mine. A temporary shelter. A hiding place. Somewhere to breathe while I figure out what comes next.

At night, I curl on the old couch, phone in hand as I scroll job listings. Anything to distract from the shadows. The call with Maddie and Al connects on speaker, their voices a lifeline.

"Ree, you okay over there?" Maddie asks, concern thick. "Your parents' place has been empty forever. Come back. My couch misses you."

"I'm good." I say, forcing lightness. "Since I'm off uni, figured I'd use the time. Looking for part-time work."

Al chimes in, his tone supportive. "What kind? Content gigs?"

"Yeah." I reply, clicking on one. "Found a content writing job. Pay's decent."

Maddie hums. "Apply, then. But don't overdo. Therapy's for unloading, not overloading."

I scan the application, heart sinking at the requirements. "Crap. It needs documents, transcripts, ID. I left them at Ryan's place."