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It had been a long time since Millie reacted this severely to anything.

Something triggered her. What?

“Don’t go on a date with Vincent. Don’t go anywhere with Vincent.” That was the first thing Asher said when he walked in for his session, after I had checked Millie once again.

“How do you—”

“I overheard you talking with Ellis.”

“Pretty much everyone who matters will be at the Mayor’s party,” I said, frowning. “I can take a look around. This man must be really well-connected.”

“I know. I still don’t want you to go,” he whispered, pressing his lips to me before he pulled back. “I hate to think of you with him, dancing, laughing… kissing.”

“If I promise not to kiss him?” I asked, leaning closer to him, my fingers trailing down his shirt. It was illegal how he looked gorgeous even in the hospital-issued shirt.

“How could anyone not want to kiss you? He’d try, and I’d kill him for that.”

I pushed him away from me, shaking my head.

“So, tell me more about the Bricks brothers?”

“Ok, so… Holland’s the eldest. He’s the favorite son. Jonah is the unambitious black sheep of the family. He was a musician, and his father hated it. Oh, and then there’s Sheriff Asshole. He has always been too perfect for his own good. Why?”

“Something triggered Millie today, and…” I rubbed my neck. “Do you remember Millie’s case?”

“Of course. The whole town was shaken when that happened. She was gone for three days.”

“How old were Holland, Jonah, and Vincent back then?”

“Vince was eleven. We searched for Millie too. Riley, Vince, and I, and the whole town.” His eyes clouded over. “Holland was in college. He wasn’t in Hollow Heights when that happened. I remember it because… it was the day after Vincent’s birthday, and Holland wasn’t at the party. He sent a gift to Vincent, though,” Asher said, tugging at his hair and shaking his head.

“Anything else?”

He shook his head, and then his eyes widened. “The other day… I saw Jonah here. He said he came to visit Doctor Stanley.”

“And?”

“I caught him staring at Millie, and he was jumpy too.” Asher frowned.

“Ok. I’m definitely going to that party,” I said. “I need to dig deeper into the Bricks brothers. Now, Riley’s letters?”

“I’m definitely going to that party,” I said. “Now, Riley’s letters?”

He looked at me for a few seconds before moving toward the shelf, taking the book out.

“Here.”

Dear A,

It’s time, he says. It’s time to go home.

He cries as he hugs me and then he kisses my neck, his hands tightening around me like chains. He tells me to drink my tea before I leave. I hate tea, but he hates it when I don’t listen to him.

So I drink.

He kisses me good night, and tells me to dream sweet dreams of him. Or sweet nightmares.

“I’ll come for you soon,” he promises, but I don’t want him to come back.