Page 9 of Wildling

My mother has unhinged control of every aspect of my life since I was ruled unfit to make my own decisions, so eyeliner it is.

Nothing a little blush can’t fix.

It’s been one day since my appointment with Regina, who ended up telling my mother I was doing fine after our session, though she wants to keep a careful eye on me. Yesterday, during my hypnosis, we made more progress than in the previous three months of therapy. The façade continues…because I am anything but fine.

Regina made me promise to see her again as soon as possible, so I have a scheduled appointment with her tomorrow. I didn’t tell her about my dream, or my bruises, and certainly not my ribbon. I kept the ribbon to myself, and I hold it every chance I get, as if it will trigger another unlocked memory.

For unknown reasons, this is important. Like someone is trying to communicate something with it. Regina believes my memory breakthrough during my hypnosis is linked to Toby’s death, but it’s because the person responsible is still out there. The ribbon proves that. The Archer—whoever or whatever he is—isn’t done with me.

The memory of the first night in the bunker is playing out like a movie. Vivid and real. My painting is inspired by the Archer in flickering light, the first moment I saw him in the dark. Now I need to fill in the gaps.

My phone vibrates again—Unknown number.

I ignore it.

Reporters have been calling me nonstop, following me, one even showed up outside my apartment trying to get a statement about Toby’s death. Everyone is asking the same question…What happened to me in that bunker?

I’ve never told the story. My mind, in the heart of trauma, protected me the only way it could. It stripped down until all that was left was pure, wild instinct.

Wildling.

My phone rings again…This time I answer it, because I’m pissed off.

“What the fuck do you want?” I sputter out.

“Layla, it’s Sarah Crawley.” My heart stops at the familiar voice. I grip the phone and straighten my back. Something’s wrong…She hasn’t tried to contact me in months. Toby Myer’s death must be triggering to her as well.

Her voice has a strange, calming effect on me. She is the one who found me in the woods and then linked me to Toby. She arrested him. All very circumstantial and convenient that he used to work for my family, and I was found on his property.

Sarah, however, was overwhelmed with the thought of another serial killer. One that Toby didn’t quite fit the bill on. The Constellation Killer.

“Hi,” I say in a strangled voice.

“Please don’t hang up.”

I let out a deep sigh. “I have to hang up, if Beth finds out I’m talking to you, she will freak out.”

“She doesn’t have to know. It can be our secret. I saw the news yesterday. How are you doing with all the new attention?”

“I’m fine…It didn’t trigger any more memories, if that’s what you’re wondering.”

Lies…and I’m getting quite proficient at it.

“I was wondering because I care.”

After the trial, Sarah kept digging into Toby, trying to link him to the Zodiac deaths. After a while, she no longer believed he was guilty.

She had no proof, just gut instinct.

A pause on the other end of the line. “Layla, I need to talk to you.”

I run my hand through my hair. “We are talking.”

“In person. Will you meet me?”

I glance at the clock. Gabe will arrive in ten minutes. I need to be outside waiting for him. I don’t want anyone here.

“I can’t do that,” I tell her. “I’m not allowed to talk to you.” Beth forbids it.