Page 127 of Shattered By the Currents

“I’m sorry I had to drug you,” he said softly, not slowing or stopping as they moved through the trees. “I gave you a small sedative. Just enough to get you out of there and to the car. It’ll wear off quickly and then we’ll be on our way.”

On their way where? And did he have a car hidden in these woods? How had he organized all of this?

The questions bubbled in her head, but her tongue felt heavy and words were too hard.

“Maybe one day, when you’re feeling better, you can tell me what happened to you,” he said gently. “Maybe you’ll even tell me what Lotus was.”

The sound of rushing water pierced the air.

“There were days where I thought the currents took you from me. Days where I wanted those currents to shatter me too, for letting you go.” A tremble was in Herbert’s voice now. He tightened his arm around her. “I’d come down to the river and stand for hours just to feel close to you.”

Raven sucked in a deep breath, her body starting to get used to the hum of the sedative. Maybe even to the point she could make a run for it soon.

“But then I saw you,” Herbert continued. “You tried to convince me it wasn’t you, but a father knows his child.”

“I’m sorry you lost her,” Raven whispered, words barely reaching air. “That must have been really hard. But I’m not her.”

Her phone vibrated from her back pocket. Was that Connor? Did he know she was in trouble?

“They had to have been drugging you,” Herbert pushed, not seeming perturbed by her words. “They did something to your brain. But I’ll get you help. I’ll get you whatever you need. And you’ll never leave my sight again.”

Her throat constricted.

She sucked in one long, deep breath before suddenly dropping her weight.

“What are you?—”

She kicked the old man in the shin, cringing at his harsh cry when he fell. Regardless of what he’d done to her, she didn’t want to hurt him. He was sick. But she also couldn’t stay.

She pushed to her feet. The trees swayed, the ground trying to pull her down. She grabbed a tree to steady herself. Then she stumbled to another.

She moved slowly. Awkwardly. But it was better than going God knew where with Herbert.

“Lila! No!”

There was pain in his voice. A grief she couldn’t begin to understand.

Still, she ran, stumbling through the forest, not even sure where she was heading.

The sound of the river grew louder, the wind fast and cold over her skin.

When she reached the water’s edge, the currents were wild and dangerous. She moved alongside it, hoping it would lead her back to safety. To the care facility. To people who could help her.

When a wave of dizziness rushed through her head, she stumbled to her knees.

God, her head was a mess. She was so tired, she could barely think. She tried to reach for her cell in her pocket, but footsteps sounded behind her. They weren’t fast, but they were loud and steady, and they were closing in on her.

She grabbed a tree and used it to get to her feet—only to scream when someone grabbed her wrist and swung her around.

“Don’t do this!” Herbert cried, his words more sad than angry. “Don’t leave me again.Please.”

“I’mnotLila, Herbert. I’m Raven Price. I work at the local community center. My parents are Gene and Craig Price. I’m an only child. I’m dating Connor Blackwood, a man who I love and can’t leave. I’m so many things—butI am not Lila.”

His brows drew together. “You’re not Lila?”

“No.”

His grip on her wrist began to loosen. “I?—”