Page 1 of Hidden

Chapter One

Bianca

Cage

Bare walls made up my prison, leaving me alone with my memories. The past—and the expression on Bryce’s face—kept returning to my thoughts.

There was no way I would be rescued, so there was no use in wishing it. The boys would be helpless in this situation, unlike when I’d been kidnapped by Daniel Cole.

They wouldn’t be able to circumvent the law.

My parents had complete control, and my worst fears had come true.

They wanted me to get better, but I had no idea what that meant. What did everyone expect?

Knowing the boys and meeting other mediums had proven I wasn’t crazy. That the things I saw were real. And this knowledge left my blood boiling at the injustice.

I wasn’t wrong! And I wouldn’t give in. There was no way I could go through the rest of my life pretending to be someone I wasn’t.

A knock echoed through the room, but it didn’t surprise me. I expected her to come, after all.

Sure enough, without waiting for a response, Dr. Reed strode into the room, closing the door behind her. Our gazes met, and her confident stride faltered.

“Bianca.” She sounded apologetic. “How are you?”

I blinked at her, incredulous. What kind of question was that? Did she not realize where we were? Did she not have eyes?

“Why am I here?” I asked in return.

Her lips pressed together in a line before she responded. “Why are you in a straightjacket? Is that blood?”

“I was brought here from the hospital.” I was too tired and on edge to care about manners. “But I thought you knew that.”

“Yes.” She frowned and pulled the strings holding the jacket closed. “But I thought that they’d be gentle, at least.”

“They’re never gentle.” I shrugged as she pulled the garment off me. “You know that,” I added, watching as she set it aside and turned toward me again, this time to check the wounds on my neck and shoulder. “They never are.”

I had nothing left to lose, and she might not answer. But it couldn’t hurt to ask. “Why is that? Do they hate who I am?”

Dr. Reed froze, and her concern steeled over with something unreadable. She turned her worried, dark eyes from my wounds back to my face. “Pardon?”

My heart thundered in my ears. I’d only suspected, but now…

While I’d been left restrained and alone, I started to wonder. My memories and thoughts intermingled, and conversations from the past began to make sense. Overheard words from dark hallways were finally becoming clear.

Theyknew. So many people had known this whole time. Dr. Reed, the people who worked here, and even Finn. It would surprise me if my parents weren’t aware as well.

But why would everyone lie? Why would they keep me locked away?

“I know who I am,” I told her, my gaze holding hers. I only wanted the truth. “I talked to Damen, and the others, and…”

Her brows furrowed. “What did Damen—”

“Why were you suppressing my abilities?” I asked. “Why did everyone want me to think I was crazy?”

“Bianca…” Dr. Reed’s focus turned to my neck again. “Let me fix this up, and I’ll talk to you. All right?”

It wasn’t all right, but what could I do? I wasn’t exactly in a position to argue. So I remained silent as she fussed around me, ordering a cart of supplies to be brought into the room. I didn’t say a word—despite the fact it hurt—when she peeled the dried bandages from my neck. I was trying so hard to be strong, to ignore my discomfort. By the time she finished, I was barely paying attention.