Page 132 of Torin

“Whitmore?”

“He’ll know what to do.”

“I don’t need a doctor.” I grab Frank’s arm. “I need you to take me back to town. Please.”

Frank looks down at my hand. “Hannah, maybe you should go with your dad.”

My stomach drops.

“Frank—”

“Just until the doctor’s seen you.”

I shake my head. He’s not going to help me.

Behind him, the SUV is still running.

I run.

“Hannah!”

I wrench open the driver’s door and throw myself behind the wheel. My hand goes straight to the ignition.

Empty.

I look up.

Frank has the keys.

My father is already coming towards me.

I’m out of the car before either of them reaches it.

I make it three steps.

My father catches me around the waist and hauls me backwards.

“Let me go!”

I drive my elbow into him and kick back, catching him in the shin. He grunts but holds on.

Frank hovers a few feet away, looking appalled.

“Hayes, maybe⁠—”

“She’s going to hurt herself.”

“I’m going to hurt you!”

I twist against him, but he pins my arms against my sides.

An engine approaches along the road.

A silver Volvo slows beside us and turns onto the drive.

“Oh, thank God,” Frank says. “That’ll be Whitmore.”

My father’s breathing is ragged from chasing me, but when he speaks, his voice is perfectly calm.