Page 107 of Twisted Truths

“Should,” I mutter under my breath, still not happy about putting Hadley in danger.

“What about whoever’s guarding the children?” Hadley asks.

Gabriel hesitates, and I know I’m not going to like whatever he’s about to say.

“Tell us,” I demand. “I’m not taking her into this blind. It’s too dangerous.”

He locks his attention on her. “There’s only one person I trust to ask for help … Isaac.”

“How do you know you can trust him?” I bite out when Hadley remains quiet.

“Isaac was only young when we lost Ezekial, and while he was as devastated as the rest of us, he didn’t understand the changes in our parents. He asked questions at first, but he learned pretty quickly to just go along with things, to say what they wanted him to say. Do what was expected. It kept the peace.”

“How do you know he wasn’t buying into it all?” I challenge. “Wouldn’t it be easier to brainwash someone so young?”

“He came to me once, not long after I lost Maddie and Annie, questioning some things he overheard me yelling at my mother. I told him to keep his head down.”

“So, you’re saying he’s pretending to go along with everything?” I’m sceptical.

“I’m saying he’s surviving,” Gabriel replies, his voice tightening. “He keeps his head down, but he’s not like them. Isaac’s a free spirit, and hates being trapped in the Circle. He desperately wants freedom. He’ll help us.”

I look down at Hadley, who is playing with her locket, deep in thought. “What do you think?”

She shrugs. “I like Isaac. He’s always been kind to me.”

Exhaling deeply, I close my eyes and run a hand through my hair. The whole plan is risky, and it’s making me nervous with all the puzzle pieces needing to fall into place, but Gabriel’s right: we need inside help. I only hope we’re putting our trust in the right people.

“We’ll only get one chance at this. He better not screw us over,” I mutter. “If he does?—”

“He won’t,” Gabriel states without hesitation.

“Okay, so what’s the plan once we get Franklin out of there?”

Chapter Thirty-Six

HADLEY

After going through the plan numerous times, Gabriel leaves to try and contact Isaac. I’m nervous about him going near the compound alone, but it’s too risky for us to all be hanging around Circle land. Gabriel grew up there, so he knows how to get in and out undetected.

I remain in the kitchen with Nash. He’s lost in his thoughts, but I don’t push, knowing he needs time to process everything. Instead, I set about making us some toast—at least I know I can’t stuff that up.

When I push the plate of vegemite toast in front of him, he offers me a warm smile. “What, no bacon and eggs?” he quips, nudging my hip with his to let me know he’s joking.

I roll my eyes as I pick up my own slice. “Not unless you want me to set the kitchen on fire.”

He chuckles as he takes a bite of his breakfast, and the sound warms my heart. I know he’s worried about his nephew, and still trying to work out who was responsible for the murders of his family, but I like that I can lighten the load for him in small ways.

We remain quiet as we eat, but eventually I ask, “What are you thinking?”

He sighs. “Do you really think we can trust Gabriel and his brother? Their parents are psychopaths. How do we know this isn’t a trap to lure us in for some part of this insane ritual?”

I wrap my arms around his waist and look up at him. “What makes you trust me?”

His brow furrows. “What?”

“You seem to have no problems trusting me, so why? What have I done to convince you?”

Nash swallows, his throat bobbing. “You’re not like them. You didn’t grow up steeped in their madness.”