Page 81

“I don't want you touching one.”

Relief crosses her face.

I give her the guard’s radio instead.

“You listen. Tell me if you hear anything about this corridor.”

“What are you going to do?”

“Get the keys to the other rooms.”

“I have keys.”

I look at the ring in her hand.

Right.

Apparently being hit in the head didn't improve my thinking.

“Even better.”

A tiny smile appears on her face.

It disappears quickly.

But I saw it.

“Stay here.”

Lily grabs me again.

“Don’t leave us.”

“I’m coming back.”

“People say that.”

The words break something inside me.

I kneel in front of her.

“I know.”

Her eyes are huge.

Terrified.

Too old.

Sage probably had that same look when she was sixteen.

Maybe younger.

“I’m coming back,” I repeat. “But if I don’t, Jasmine has the keys. You lock this door and stay quiet until the police come.”

“Are the police coming?”

I think about Sean.