Page 2

A young woman is sitting behind me in the half-empty bus, her expensive fragrance wafting over. Apart from me and her, there are eight other women—all ranging from their mid twenties to their forties, all of them miserable looking. Or maybe that’s just reflection, and I’m only seeing what I want to see.

Most of them are dressed in casual clothes like me, except for the one behind me. She’s wearing a short dress and high heels—I glimpsed her attire when she asked the driver to stop several times. Something about her having a weak bladder. She’s the reason we’re late. In fact, very late, which has diminished my hope of figuring out how to file a complaint immediately upon our arrival.

I barely give her another glance as my attention focuses back on the scenery outside the window.

“To be honest, I still have no idea,” I mumble more to myself than to her.

That’s half the truth.

Theoretically, I know what I did wrong when the judge court-ordered me to this place.

Theoretically, too, I know they were all exaggerating when they claimed I broke into Bruce’s home. What I did was most certainlynotbreaking and entering.

I lift my hand to the glass and draw an invisible heart, my mind wandering back to the person who’s responsible for this.

“I don’t belong here,” I find myself whispering. “It’s all a big misunderstanding.”

“That’s what everyone says before they hit rock bottom.” She lets out a knowing laugh a moment before she slides into the empty seat beside me. A pale hand moves past me, hovering in mid air. “I’m Sylvie, by the way. Sylvie Holton.”

I shake her hand. “Just Vicky.”

“This place is going to be amazing, you know,” the girl continues, oblivious to my wish to be left alone.

“How do you know?” I narrow my eyes to regard her closer. Her long blonde hair looks like a cascade of bright sunshine over her naked shoulders. Her eyes, blue and wide, are staring at me, full of curiosity and something else: knowledge.

As though she’s been here before.

“I just know.” She lets out a laugh, and I instantly know she’s one of those people who seem to laugh and smile all the time. I’ve always admired optimists and their ability to see the positive in the aftermath of drama. That’s a skill I haven’t mastered yet. “That, and my research has dug up a few things.”

“Yeah?” I pull up my brows in interest.

“Yeah,” she replies matter-of-factly.

My curiosity is piqued. “What did you found out?”

“For starters, they’ve just reopened some of the historical centers,” she says with a soft smile, like that’s supposed to tell me something. “This place actually gets a lot of tourist attraction, but since there are going to be renovations in the next few weeks, the place will be closed to the public before summer, which is why they’ve turned one of the historical buildings into a temporary rehab center.” The words pour out of her like a waterfall. Jesus. She can talk fast without breathing. I can barely keep up with her.

“Uhm—”

I stare at her, unsure what the heck she’s talking about.

“Good for us,” she says. “I’ve always wanted to have a whole island to myself.” Her eyes light up.

I don’t think the renovations plan was included with the info leaflet they sent me as a means of making it look like I had a choice in coming here. And I sure didn’t take it upon me to find out much about the place after the hearing.

My eyes narrow as I give her a critical glance. Her eyes are framed by heavy eyeliner. She’s wearing fake eyelashes. Her whole posture is relaxed. Too relaxed for someone who is about to enter this kind of facility. She’s styled as though she’s about to join a party. She wears expensive designer shoes. And isn’t she the one with the tons of bags? The driver could barely cram them inside.

Maybe she’s one of the counselors?

“Are you working here?” I ask, unable to control the sudden mistrust seeping into my voice.

“I wish.” She lets out a hearty laugh. “But no, I’m here to get therapy.” She eyes me, amused. “Like you.”

I cringe at the word.

She says it like it’s not a big deal.

I ponder her words. Finally, I give a sigh, curiosity rising within me.