Page 60 of A Summer to Save Us

He’s coming here; he wanted to meet here , I type on my cell phone and add three more sentences about the opening.

I hold up my words to Dad. He shows them to Clark Davenport and Chester.

Chester immediately pulls out his cell phone and types something; he’s certainly googling it to see if I’m telling the truth while his father glares at me with cold, narrowed eyes.

“If you lie again this time, may God have mercy on you.” It’s the first sentence he says to me personally, and his voice sounds threateningly soft.

Dad returns my phone and looks at me almost pleadingly.

I merely nod. I feel sick. I have no idea what will happen if Clark Davenport finds out that I’m lying.

Maybe he’ll have Dad fired or make sure I go to prison.

But I have no choice because if he finds River, he will use his influence to put him in a clinic and pump him full of drugs.

On the other hand, River is Asher Blackwell. His word might carry just as much weight when it comes down to it. The whole nation loves him. No one in America could just have someone committed like that—not even Clark Davenport. Or could he?

And what if there is a valid reason for his concerns, one that goes beyond River’s drinking, his risky stunts, and his cutting? What if he truly is that sick?

I quickly write: I’m freezing, Dad. I need to change.

As if on command, my teeth chatter. Luckily, I took cover in the fountain, so now I have a convincing reason to disappear into the hotel room.

Dad looks at my phone and glances at Clark Davenport, who is talking to Chester. “Hurry up!” he says softly and presses a Coke and a chocolate bar into my hand.

I nod gratefully, so happy I put the key in my pocket earlier. I quickly sprint up the stairs and lock myself in the hotel room.

The little we have here has been ransacked. Were Chester and his father in our room? Or was it River searching for a disguise?

I don’t know, and I don’t have time to think about it. I hope River doesn’t come here. It was a white lie and the only thing I could think of in my panic to calm the others down.

With my heart pounding, I slip out of my wet clothes and pull on a pair of River’s dry jeans and his black sweater. A thousand thoughts whirl through my head as I roll up the jeans, fold up the sweater sleeves, and thread a belt through the pant loops.

I need to know how bad River truly is. I don’t want to believe that he only saves girls in his madness.

With my forearm, I wipe away a few tears that are running unabated down my cheeks.

After chugging the Coke, I’m about to climb out of the window when I remember the signal device that’s still in my jeans pocket.

I frantically pull it out and click it into place before climbing through the window onto the crooked fire escape.

The steps groan. Sharp metal digs into the soles of my feet, and only now do I realize that I’ve lost my flip-flops. Damn! They’re probably floating in the Roman fountain—or somewhere else in The Forum.

After descending halfway down the ladder, I glance at the street below.

The hotel entrance is around the corner, but maybe Chester is patrolling the area around the hotel.

When I don’t see anyone, I climb down further until I’m on the sidewalk.

I hesitantly start walking, and after a few steps, I start running.

I have no idea where to look for River.

I’ll find you .

He’s a sick young man.

I’m sorry, but I have to save you .

I don’t understand any of it, but right now, I’m too out of breath and too excited to keep crying. I keep looking around, but the street is deserted except for the homeless with their shopping carts.

They haven’t noticed I’m gone yet.

Should I go back to The Forum? Where could River find me?

My phone vibrates. Maybe it’s him. Breathless, I pull it out and slow down to read the message:

Girl number one: Reese Mahony from New Orleans, a friend of Zozoo. Her suicide attempt: over a hundred Diazepam and a bottle of liquor. Tanner was eighteen at the time.

Girl number two: Suzanne Meyers. Tanner met her in the psychiatric hospital after he jumped into the river. Her suicide attempt: she wanted to jump from the roof of the clinic. He was nineteen.

Girl number three: Betty Dawson. He found her in a dilapidated house. She wanted to slit her wrists.

Girl number three didn’t survive his rescue mission, Kansas!

Where are you? You must be crazy. Tanner is crazy. Who gives a shit if he’s Asher Blackwell, Jesus Christ, or Satan. He’s a freak! He’s not a hero!

I get more messages from James and Dad, but I don’t read them. Dizzy from all the new information, I place the phone back in my pocket. Girl number three didn’t survive his rescue mission!

Then again, what does Chester know about his brother? Nothing! He hasn’t seen him in years, and he didn’t even know he was Asher Blackwell. This is all completely crazy.

I look around when I reach the Strip, but I don’t see anyone following me.

With my arms wrapped around myself, I continue through the crowds, the dazzling twinkling lights, and past limousines with thumping bass.

The thoughts in my head merge with one another like a kaleidoscope. River could be anywhere.

Girl number three did not survive his rescue mission!