Page 28

C hapter 28

Grey

“Gone? What the fuck do you mean, she’s gone?” I yell into the phone, anger fueling my insides like gasoline pouring into my blood.

Draven called Everlee a while ago, and his loud, frantic voice was audible through the phone before she put him on speaker. I froze in numbed horror, imprisoned inside my own body, as he told me Naya was gone.

“I mean that she ran out of the goddamned building,” he says, voice tense and every word clipped, betraying his annoyance.

“ Fuck, ” Clenching my fists, rage boils through me—a well-familiar emotion that’s been with me since I can remember. “It was your job to make sure she was safe! You insisted on going alone. How the fuck could you have lost her?”

My body is trembling from the rage I feel, and the urge to strangle Draven until his face turns blue grows stronger for each second I know Naya’s not within his sight.

“Well, I didn’t expect her to bolt and run while I was turned the other way,” he snaps.

Everlee’s worried eyes meet mine as she listens to what Draven has to say, biting her lip. She’s as concerned for her friend as I am, but it doesn’t help the fact that my little doll is far away from here, lost in a town we’ve never visited.

What if the authorities catch up to her? Recognize her? Each passing moment feels like one step closer to our doom, and my chest constricts at the thought of losing her again.

“You have a bike,” Everlee whispers into the phone, and he curses under his breath.

“I won’t let you take the bike in this weather—it’s the middle of winter!” His voice crackles through the speaker, the harsh tone making me wince as it grates on my nerves.

“If anyone can find her, it’s Grey,” Everlee softly tells him.

I stare at her, baffled, yet a flicker of hope stirs in my chest.

Draven took the car when he drove Naya to the psychologist, so I didn’t believe there was a way to reach Naya unless he came back to pick us up, which would waste precious time.

“Please, Draven,” Everlee begs, her voice like a soothing balm that would make anyone cave for her wishes.

Draven grumbles on the other side, ever the loving human. I honestly don’t understand what Everlee sees in that douchebag—she’s the opposite of what he is; kind, gentle, loving.

“The keys are in the hallway, and the helmets in the garage. But it’s not my fault if you fall and hurt yourself,” he growls, and I feel like it’s more directed at me than Everlee.

“I will drive carefully,” I tell him as panic seeps into me like a deadly wave.

Where are you, my little doll?

“Do you even know how to drive a bike?” Draven asks skeptically.

“No, but I’m a fast learner.”

“Oh god,” he mumbles through the phone. “I will search for her along with Dr. Miller, see if we can catch sight of her.”

“Thanks, man,” I grit out, appreciating the gesture, then Everlee hangs up.

“I’ve been on the bike with Draven enough times to know the basics.”

“Good, then let’s go,” I hurriedly say as I stalk toward the corridor, mind determined to make it into town as fast and careful as possible.

––––––––

RIDING A BIKE ISN’T as hard as I initially thought it’d be, almost like a mix between cycling and driving a car—you focus on the balance, your body naturally leaning into each curve of the road. Despite it being winter, the road was mostly clear; the frequent traffic had melted the snow, leaving only a few icy patches that I carefully avoided. Thankfully, there was no highway leading into town, only quiet roads with hardly any cars at this hour.

I park the bike outside the psychiatrist’s office, cutting the engine and glancing around, frustration bubbling up inside me.

“We will find her,” Everlee assures.

“Yeah, I hope so.”

The air is heavy with humidity and the beginning of a new snowfall, which will cover any footsteps carved into the snow. An urgency settles deep within me as I begin to stalk around the building.

“Let’s separate. Find Draven and search for her. I will search this way. We’ll cover ground faster.”

She agrees, and I set off on my own, determined to find Naya.

I search for her footsteps, sure they will be visible in the snow. What the fuck would I have done if it wasn’t snowing outside? It’d be no telling which direction she might have gone.

The cold seeps into my thick jacket, causing me to shiver. My ears are cold, begging for the warmth of a beanie, but I only got my hair as a shield.

I narrow my eyes as I look around the building—there are too many footsteps here from people that have come and gone. I silently curse, continuing to walk while being careful not to disturb the footsteps already left behind.

A little farther away, some footprints reach the curb before vanishing, probably having entered a car.

Glancing in another direction, I spot a set of footprints leading away from the bustling town, into an isolated area—a park. Anxiety tightens inside me as I follow them.

Draven messaged Everlee during our drive and told me he’d covered the north and east sides of the building and town. That leaves me heading west, hoping they’ll cover the south part next.

I continue tracing the footsteps as they lead me deeper into the park. Lanterns line the path, casting a faint glow on the road and illuminating the snow-covered trees as darkness falls.

One set of footprints veers left, heading back toward the city, while another continues straight ahead, leading deeper into the now-shadowed park as the sun slips behind thick clouds and the evening chill settles in.

I choose the path straight ahead, my heart lodged in my throat and desperately hoping Naya will somehow be here. I know how much she likes nature—surrounding herself with its scents and the safety it offers. This feels like the only reasonable place she could go to escape.

Snow begins to fall harder, slowly burying the footprints I’m following. I hasten my steps, anxious to find her as soon as possible, before the trail vanishes completely beneath the blanket of fresh snow.

The snow falls in thick dribbles, all the harder, and the wisp of wind freezes me from head to toe as I desperately search for my little doll. I rub my hands together to retain some warmth, but it’s futile against the relentless cold. Snow crunching on the ground snaps through my thoughts, and I whip my head to the side. A figure sits crouched in the snow, hands clutching the ground, fully red from the freezing weather.

“Naya?” I shout, instantly recognizing the chestnut brown hair, now weighed down by a heavy layer of snowflakes.

My mind races with fear and confusion as I rush toward her, but I slow down when I come closer, not wanting to startle her. I don’t know what’s going on, but my heart clenches painfully at the thought of seeing her so disheveled.

“Naya?” I ask carefully, my voice trembling as I crouch down in the same position beside her, cupping her wet checks while desperately trying to connect with her.

I look into her mismatched eyes, dulled and distant in the darkness.

She doesn’t seem to notice me. Her gaze is on me, but her mind is somewhere else. A torrent of emotion washes over me—a sense of helplessness at not having her present, and a deep sense of abandonment. I try to push them away as far into my mind as I can, giving her my own jacket to warm her up.

“ He’s here,” she mumbles, her voice a croaked whisper.

“Who is?” I try to get her to see me, but she’s too far into her own head to realize it’s me—her Grey.

“They’re all here to take me,” she stutters, eyes glazed and unfocused, yet her entire body is trembling—from anxiety and fear, I cannot tell.

“Baby, I’m here,” I tell her, kissing her forehead in an attempt to get her to see me.

“He’s here. Arthur is here. F-Frederick!” she repeats, her voice a frantic beat that sears through me like a spear.

“Little doll…” I whisper, and she looks at me, as though she doesn’t quite recognize me, though there’s a flicker in her eyes letting me know she knows who I am, even if she can’t place me.

Fuck, what happened to her when I wasn’t here to protect her?

“They’re all here to take me,” she says, hands shaking as they grip the snow, melting in her hands and drenching her in its coldness.

“Come, little one. I’ll take you to safety,” I mumble, rising to my feet and reaching out my hand.

She seems unaware at first, before finally reaching out her hands, much to my relief. I help her to her feet, her dress soaked through, along with her hair.

The snow crunches under our feet as I lead her toward the psychiatrist’s building, praying that it won’t set her off again. She allows me to lead her back, my arm slung around her protectively as the snow falls down heavily.

I find Everlee and Draven standing at the building, looking at us, probably having seen me walking with Naya, as they don’t seem panicked anymore.

“What happened?” Everlee exclaims as she meets us half-way, eyes creased in concern.

“I found her like this,” I tell her, holding Naya in my arms.

Everlee grabs Naya’s hand, meeting her eyes. “Are you okay?”

“Frederick is h-here,” she stutters. “He’s going to t-take us back…”

Everlee physically blanches as she hears Naya talk, face paling. She takes a step backward, staring at Naya in shock, a look of nausea crossing her face. “W-what?” she forces out, as though the sheer thought of him will kill her.

“He’s going to take us,” Naya whispers, lost in her own mind.

Draven looks at me with an angered expression. “Get your girl in check,” Draven hisses, voiced laced with irritation.

Everlee turns to Draven, her face nearly turning green from nausea—she looks as if she’ll puke at any moment.

“Frederick’s everywhere,” Naya stutters.

“Don’t say his name,” Everlee says, eyes tightly shut. “Please, I can’t…”

Naya stares at Everlee with an open mouth, her eyes wild and terrified, on the verge of breaking down—her body quivering.

“Get yourself together, Naya. You’re scaring her,” he hisses in frustration, and I cast him a glare, rubbing Naya’s shoulders.

She only stares at him, lost in the torment of her own mind. I lift her chin with my finger, coxing her to look at me. “You’re safe,” I whisper.

“I’m not.”

Everlee approaches Naya. “Stop it, Naya! Frederick isn’t here. You need to calm down. We’re here to help you,” she says harshly.

Naya turns to me, looking like a lost, frightened child, and it shatters my fucking heart. She’s trapped in the torment of her own mind, captured by her inner demons, and I can’t bring her back.

Draven tosses me the car keys, and I catch them without taking my eyes off Naya.

“I’ll take her home,” I murmur as I gently guide her toward the car parked next to Draven’s bike.

“Grey?” she whispers once we’re out of earshot. My chest tightens at the sound of her quiet, fragile voice.

“Yeah, little one?”

“He’s not here, is he?”

“No, he’s dead,” I tell her, kissing her temple, hoping it will somehow soothe her distressed heart.

That’s the moment she breaks down. Sobs wrack her body as she clutches my shirt, clinging to me for dear life. Her mind is a disaster, chaotic and wild, but a beautiful mess all the same. Relief crashes over me in tumultuous waves as I get her inside the car, instantly cranking the heater up. Then I drive back to Draven’s cottage, feeling as if I can finally breathe again.

She’s fast asleep by the time we arrive, her face peaceful and relaxed, far from the scowl and worry she wears when awake. As I watch her rest, doubt filters through my soul. Can I keep her safe from the battle raging inside her mind, intent on tearing her apart? Or will I lose her before we’ve even begun to find our freedom?