Page 148 of The Last Session

“How long?”

“Nine days.” Her eyes were wide as she looked up at me. “I should’ve called Clint earlier, I know. But… I didn’t. I think I was in shock for a few days. And then finally it kicked in; I knew I needed his help. But then we wasted more time waiting for the police. They never came. So he flew in with his equipment, drove out here. That night I was able to put liquid diphenhydramine in the wine—it seemed to make everyone pass out early. But even then…” Karen shook her head. “I didn’t think we’d find her alive, to be honest with you. And we did, but she was… not okay. Not speaking. Clint didn’t even think he could get her on a plane. So he drove her all the way back to New York. To get help for her. But then at a gas station she just got out of the car. Walked out onto the highway. I don’t know why.”

Nine days. I couldn’t fathom it. No wonder Catherine had burrowed deep inside her psyche, shutting off everything around her. The food twisted in my belly, feeling like chunks of concrete.

“I can’t believe I listened to you guys,” Mikki muttered, slamming a drawer. “?‘Oh, they’ll be fast asleep. They totally won’t hear us all the way down there.’ Fucking stupid.”

“I didn’t think she’d do that to Clint.” Karen’s eyes filled again with tears.

“Really?”I scoffed. “After seeing them tie me up, keep me chained to a bed, and throw me in the hole?” The surprise gave me a boost of energy. “After seeing Talia plummet to her death?”

“I’ve been blind.” Karen shook her head. “She blinded me. All of us. I’m sorry.”

Mikki had moved on to another set of cabinets, clutching a pair of what looked like pliers.

“What should we do, Thea?” Karen whispered, a note of hope in her voice. “Use your powers.”

But I had nothing. I hadn’t figured out how to escape the cave—I’d been rescued by Clint, Karen, and Mikki. And I didn’t have any ideas that would help us now.

“I’m sorry.” I lay down on my left side, the same position from the ledge. I didn’t know if it was the sensory overwhelm or the spiking and sinking chemicals from what had just happened, but I could no longer keep my eyes open.

When I woke, though, I knew exactly what we needed to do.

58

An indeterminate amount of time later, there came the scraping sound of the key in the lock.

“Hi, guys,” Sol said in a quiet singsong as he eased it open. “How’s everyone doing?”

I thought back to the first day of our retreat.Great!After the granola bars and nap, I was feeling stronger. It had to be a hormonal response to the situation, my body pushing out a new round of adrenaline. Mikki and Karen had fetched water with one of the buckets, and we’d designated another bucket in the corner as the bathroom. We’d spent hours going over the plan. I had no idea if it would work, but it was better than nothing.

Sol entered, training the gun ahead of him.

“We want to talk to Moon.” Karen said her line immediately.

“Is that so, Karen?” Sol glared at her. “Or should I call you Judas? You know, out of everyone, I really trusted you.”

“And I trustedyou.” She shrugged. “But then again, I am drawn to weak and despicable men.”

His glower switched to a smile. “Touché.”

Steven stood behind him, holding a tray. Outside in the courtyard, the sun was setting, the light golden. We’d been in here all day.

“We brought you some chow, at least.” Sol motioned, and Steven set the tray down just inside the door. The smell of ginger and garlic made my stomach leap. “Thea should probably get first dibs.”

“Steven, don’t do this,” Karen called. I stared at her; this wasn’t part of the plan.

He kept his gaze fixed on the ground.

“Lookat me, goddamnit,” Karen yelled. Steven raised his head. “You know this isn’t right, Steve. I know you know that. You’re a good person.”

Sol watched this play out, smiling pleasantly.

“I’m sorry, Karen.” Steven’s voice was barely audible.

“Grace and Clint aredead.” She choked up. “Dead!”

“We’ll see them again.” He sounded like he was trying to be comforting.