Page 27

CHAPTER

NINETEEN

ERIN

The annual open evening at Sunnycrest is an opportunity to showcase their advancements in the field of psychiatry and raise funds.

Industry professionals, financial donors, and key influential figures—including the mayor, sheriff, and local business owners—all attend.

It’s also a chance to provide reassurance that it’s secure following the recent breakout.

Despite Dad’s best efforts to brush the incident under the carpet, there have been whispers across town about whether it’s still a safe place to have on the doorstep.

After yesterday’s encounter with Lex and Dad force-feeding me more pills, I’ve spent most of the day in the salon. My stylist successfully evened up my cut with feathery layers that rest between my chin and shoulder blades.

“Ouch!” I yelp, accidentally catching myself with the curling iron.

Loose waves complete my look. Mom picked me a black dress with white pearl buttons and an oversized lace collar to wear. It sits below the knee, complete with puffy sleeves that go down to my wrists.

“Where are you, Erin?” Mom calls. “It’s time to go.”

I frown at the mirror. Blusher, lip gloss, and mascara don’t stop me from looking ill, but at least foundation covers the bruising on my neck.

“Erin!” Dad roars. “We’re leaving. Now!”

I hurry down to find Mom making the final adjustments to Dad’s tie and smoothing his suit. They’re dressed like they’re attending the Oscars, Mom in a slinky white dress with a giant diamond necklace and Dad in a flashy tux.

“The driver is waiting,” Mom says.

We always hire a car for the event.

As we leave, Dad grabs my arm to hold me back. “Have you taken your pills?”

I nod.

“Good.” His grip loosens, but he glares in warning. “No funny business tonight.”

“Of course,” I reply. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

He scowls, sensing a hint of sarcasm.

After Lex telling me to look closer to home for answers, I’ve made a plan.

The first place to search will be my father’s office, but it’ll have to wait.

Despite Lex’s hint, I don’t believe Dad can really be involved in Sarah’s disappearance.

Sure, he has flaws, but losing her changed him.

He tried not to show it, but he was devastated when she vanished.

Although he tried to control Sarah’s life, he only wanted to protect her.

Our drive to Sunnycrest is filled with Dad bragging about tonight’s guests, while Mom preens her hair. I shiver, recalling the last time I made this journey. The night everything changed. The night I met them.

Sunnycrest’s gates open as we arrive. Guards, with rifles in holsters, patrol the yard.

“This way,” Dad says, leading us inside.

Tonight’s event happens in the grand hall, which is separated from the rest of the building by staff quarters and is only used for special occasions.

The patients have their own cafeteria. They sedate and lock patients away for the night, making it suspiciously quiet.

Nothing ruins a party faster than it being crashed by the criminally insane.

The guests are due to arrive in half an hour, so Dad busies himself with the final preparations by shouting orders at anyone he comes across.

Mom and I take a seat at our table. A few of the supposedly ‘reformed’ patients have been given roles for the occasion.

They wait with trays of drinks, wearing ill-fitting suits.

They all have a distinct, glassy stare, like performing bears.

Everyone knows the most damaged individuals aren’t safe to be among the public. Not now or, quite frankly, ever.

“You look beautiful, darling,” Mom says. “Although your hair is a little short. I don’t know what possessed you to cut it yourself.”

She drones on, and I let her lecture wash over me while watching the final touches being made to the venue.

The event format is the same each year: a mixer with drinks, followed by a presentation from Dad about the asylum’s work with other psychiatrists and doctors chipping in.

It’s followed by a three-course meal, and a brief recognition ceremony to reward local businesses for their continued support.

My phone buzzes.

MIA: Enjoy your night in Crazytown.

I smile at the irony. Unbeknownst to her, my home is crazier than this place.

“Oh, look!” Mom stands. “Our guests are arriving.”

Dad beckons me to join him and greet the attendees.

I smile politely and shake hands, avoiding conversation as much as possible.

Sheriff Brady is accompanied by his wife.

I like Mrs. Brady. After Sarah went missing, she sent trays of home-baked cookies.

Of course, Mom threw them in the trash. To her, getting fat is almost as bad as Sarah disappearing.

A few other officers and their wives trot in after them.

I recognize a few doctors who always attend, some more esteemed than others.

I can tell who the most distinguished guests are from Dad’s posture changing and his fake friendly tone.

“I read your most recent journal article, Magnus,” one says. “I’d like to discuss your theory on neuroplasticity. You make a compelling argument, but I disagree with your point on?—”

Dad’s eyes narrow, but he keeps smiling. “We can talk business later. Your table is over here.”

He perks up as soon as he sees Devon Lewis.

Devon has been the mayor of Pasturesville for twenty years.

During that time, no one else has dared to stand against him.

He’s revered and feared in equal measure.

His slicked-back blond hair disguises his early balding, and his third wife hangs off his arm.

Every divorce brought a new wife younger than the last. As well as being mayor, he’s an investor in the pharmaceutical industry and was key in Sunnycrest’s opening.

“Magnus.” Devon greets him coldly. “We have much to talk about.”

“You’re right,” Dad says. The frosty atmosphere between them is hard to ignore. “It’s been too long.”

After everyone arrives, my parents work the room, giving me some breathing space. I slink off to find a quiet corner, wishing it were time to leave already.

Suddenly, someone coughs beside me. I spin to see a server—a guy around my age. Pockmarks cover his sallow cheeks, and he flushes when our eyes meet.

“Can I help you?” I ask.

“I…” His eyes skim the room, a bead of sweat dripping down his brow. “Are you Erin Acacia?”

“Yes,” I reply, crossing my arms. “Did my father send you?”

He turns his back to the room, so no one can see what he’s doing. He passes me a folded piece of card from his inner pocket. “This is for you.”

I eye it suspiciously, knowing better than to trust a patient. “What is it?”

“They said…” he stutters. “They said you’d know who it was from, L-L-L-Little Ghost.”

I snatch it from his fingers.

“Is that all?” I ask.

He nods, shoulders sagging in relief, before hurrying away. Despite their escape, my tormentors must still have connections here. Judging by the look on their poor messenger’s face, they’re feared.

I glance around to make sure I won’t be disturbed. Thankfully, everyone seems too distracted to pay me any attention. I carefully unfold the paper.

9:30 PM.

Take the first left after the kitchens.

Bea will meet you there.

Who’s Bea?

I stash the note into my purse. What should I do? I remember what happened the last time we met here. This is their territory. If they can break out—and break in—I’ll be putting myself at their mercy.

“Why are you hiding?” Mom asks, locating me. She links her arm through mine. “Come and join the party. There’s plenty of people for you to speak to.”

“Great,” I mutter.

We spend the next half an hour circling the room while my mind is elsewhere. The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, overcome with the feeling of being watched.

Finally, it’s time to take our seats for Dad’s presentation. I check the clock. Nine twenty. My knee jiggles nervously under the table as he takes to the podium. He taps the microphone a few times before his booming voice fills the space.

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome!” Dad declares.

“As you know, tonight is a very special evening for Sunnycrest. A chance to celebrate everything we have achieved in psychiatry, which wouldn’t have been possible without your continued support.

On behalf of myself and the Sunnycrest patients, I’d like to thank all of you.

Peers, donors, and, of course…” He gestures to the table on our right. “Mayor Lewis.”

Devon stands to bow. Dad’s lip curls in distaste but he doesn’t object, allowing Devon to soak in the admiration and applause.

“Secondly, I want to address the biggest challenge we’ve experienced.

The recent breakout,” Dad continues, when the crowd settles again.

“It has been a year unlike any other. Thanks to the hard work of our sheriff’s office, the patients were located quickly.

The incident has made us reassess our security, which will be the first topic I’m addressing this evening.

We’ve adopted cutting-edge technology to make this unit the most secure of its kind. ”

I observe my father’s body language, noting how convincing he is. However, he must know that not all patients were found.

Dad invites a security analyst to the stage. I bite my inner cheek to hold back a laugh, knowing three monsters have been able to effortlessly infiltrate Sunnycrest tonight.

The clock hands tick on. Nine twenty-eight. Two minutes to go. I have a choice to make…

With my father in full flow, I whisper to Mom, “I’m heading to the restroom.”

She waves her hand dismissively, engrossed in his presentation and beaming with pride.

No one notices as I slip out of the room and into the empty adjoining corridor.

A female voice comes from the darkness. “Erin?”