Chapter 12
Her
Stepping out of Dr. Ashcroft’s office, my mind still buzzing from the session, I spot Maddie’s car idling at the curb.
She waves at me from the driver's seat, her smile bright but edged with that worry she's been carrying since the hospital.
I slide into the passenger side, buckling up as she pulls away from the clinic.
“How was it?” Maddie asks the question almost immediately as she pulls the car away from the curb. Her eyes flick briefly from the road to me and back again.
“Therapy with the doc.” She adds quickly. “Spill everything.” Her brow lifts expectantly. “Did you talk about the stalker? Or Ryan?”
I lean back against the passenger seat, the soft hum of the engine filling the quiet space between us. A small smile tugs at the corner of my lips despite the heaviness still lingering in my chest.
“It was… weirdly good.” I admit. The words surprise even me. “I didn’t think I could open up to a complete stranger about all this crap.”
I stare out the window at the passing buildings. “But once I started talking, it just… flowed.” My shoulders sink deeper into the seat. “I feel lighter now. Like I’ve been carrying bricks around for months and finally set a few of them down.”
Maddie glances over at me again, and the tension in her expression melts into relief. “That’s huge, Ree. I’m so proud of you for actually going through with it.”
She gives me a quick smile before returning her attention to the road. “You deserve that lightness. After everything.”
For a minute the car fills with comfortable silence. The quiet hum of traffic and the rhythmic sweep of the windshield wipers make the moment feel oddly peaceful.
But I notice Maddie’s fingers tapping lightly against the steering wheel. A familiar sign. She’s holding something back.
“Okay.” She says suddenly, her grin returning. “Confession time.”
I glance over suspiciously. “What?”
“I may or may not have searched Dr. Nathaniel online while you were in there.”
My eyebrows rise. “Maddie…”
“And girl,” she continues, completely ignoring my warning tone, “he’s hot.” She shakes her head dramatically. “Like… unfairly hot.”
She glances sideways at me again. “Did you notice?” Her grin widens. “Be honest.”
Heat creeps slowly up my cheeks. Because yeah. I noticed. But admitting it after spilling my entire emotional breakdown in his office somehow feels ridiculous.
“Mads.” I sigh, rolling my eyes. “I was there for therapy, not to check out the doctor. I barely looked at him like that.”
I gesture vaguely. “It was all professional. Talking about feelings and trauma and… emotional processing crap.”
Maddie laughs and nudges my arm with her elbow as the car rolls to a stop at a red light. “Come on, Ree.” Her eyes sparkle mischievously. “Professional or not… those eyes? And that jawline?”
She shakes her head. “You cannot tell me you didn’t notice.” She leans closer, lowering her voice conspiratorially. “He’s like a model who decided to fix brains instead of posing.”
Her eyebrows wiggle. “So? Hot or not?”
I hesitate, biting my lip to hide a smile. But Maddie’s persistence has always been impossible to resist. “Fine.” I admit finally. He’s hot.”
I lift my hands defensively. “Happy now? But seriously, Mads.” I add quickly. “It wasn’t about that. The session actually helped.”
I glance out the window again. “He listened. Like… really listened.” I shrug slightly. “And he didn’t make me feel like some broken freak.”
Maddie pumps her fist dramatically. “Knew it! That’s exactly what you needed. But hey… bonus points if the therapist is eye candy. Makes the hard emotional breakthroughs easier, right?”
I snort. We both laugh, the tension from the last few days loosening slightly for the first time in what feels like forever.
Maddie glances down at the dashboard clock. “Oh crap. I need to stop at the market.”
Her fingers tap the wheel again. “Groceries for dinner.” She glances over. “You up for a quick stop?”
I nod, grateful for the simple normalcy of something as mundane as running errands after the emotional weight of therapy.
“Yeah. Let’s go.” A small smile touches my lips. “I could use the fresh air.”
We pull into the market lot, and Maddie parks near the entrance. "I'll run into the bakery for bread and stuff." She says, grabbing her bag. "You wanna come, or roam around? Meet back here in twenty?"
"I'll roam." I reply, stepping out and stretching. "Text if you need me to grab anything."
Maddie nods and heads off, disappearing into the crowd. I wander toward the fruit stalls, the chatter of vendors and shoppers a welcome distraction from the session's echoes.
I pick up an apple from a pile, its skin smooth and red, and bring it to my nose, inhaling the crisp, sweet scent that reminds me of simpler times.
"Those are the best ones." The vendor says, an older man with a friendly grin. "Fresh from the orchard. Three for one euro. Can't beat that."
I smile back lightly, the normal interaction grounding me. "Yeah, they smell amazing. I'll take three, please."
He packs them into a bag, handing it over with a nod. "Enjoy, miss. Come back soon."
I pay and move on, the bag swinging lightly in my hand as I head to the herb stalls. The basil catches my eye, its leaves vibrant and fragrant, and I lean in to smell it, the earthy aroma calming my still-jittery nerves.
"Ree!" Maddie's voice calls from behind, making me jump a little. She waves a bakery bag. "Found you. Everything okay?"
I turn, forcing a smile. But I feel a sudden eerie feeling that's crept up my spine, like eyes boring into my back, watching every move. I glance around quickly, scanning the faces in the crowd, but no one stands out.
"Yeah, everything's fine. You get what you needed?"
Maddie nods, linking her arm through mine. "Yup. Let's head out. I'm starving."
We walk back to the car, that uneasy prickle fading but not gone, and I climb in, buckling up as she starts the engine. We're heading toward her house when my phone buzzes in my pocket, the vibration sending a jolt through me.
I pull it out, my heart sinking at the unknown number. Again. The message loads a photo. Maddie's house, clear as day, with text overlay, ‘So you’re staying here? Wanna see what happens to her being with you?’
Panic surges, cold and sharp, because how? I changed my phone and number after the hospital, convinced it was tapped before. This shouldn't be possible. I stare at the screen, my mind racing. Threatening Maddie now? I can't let this touch her.
“Ree? You okay?” Maddie’s voice cuts through the quiet hum of the car as she glances over at me.
I quickly lock my phone screen and slide it into my pocket, forcing my voice to stay steady. “Yeah.” I say lightly. “Just spam.”
I shift in my seat, staring out the windshield. “Hey… can you drop me at my parents’ place instead?”
The words feel strange coming out of my mouth. “I just… need some alone time. Clear my head.”
Maddie’s brow furrows immediately. Her hands tighten slightly around the steering wheel. “What?” She asks, glancing at me again. “Ree, what’s wrong?”
Her tone softens, but the concern is obvious. “You were fine like two seconds ago.” She slows slightly at the intersection. “If the therapy session stirred stuff up, just talk to me. My place is safer.”
I shake my head quickly, the insistence rising alongside the tight knot of fear in my chest. “Please, Mads.” My voice drops. “I just need some space. My parents’ flat. It’s quiet there.”
I force a small smile. “I’ll call if anything’s up. Promise.”
Maddie sighs, clearly unconvinced. But after a moment she flicks on the turn signal and steers the car toward the older part of town.
“Fine.” She mutters. Her tone carries reluctant acceptance. “But I’m not happy about it.”
She glances at me again. “Text me when you get inside. And call if you need a ride back. Or anything. Seriously.”
The city slowly shifts around us as we drive. The streets grow quieter. Older. More familiar.
Soon the rundown flat building comes into view, its faded brick walls and flickering stairwell light exactly the way I remember.
Memories flood back before I can stop them. This was the last place Mom and Dad lived. The place they left me after the crash. Now it’s just dust and quiet hallways filled with echoes.
Maddie pulls the car to the curb. Neither of us moves for a moment. Then she leans over and wraps me in a tight hug before I can even open the door.
“Love you.” She murmurs. Her arms squeeze tighter. “Call whenever. Day or night.”
"Thanks for today." I say, waving as she drives off, then head inside, the key turning stiff in the lock.
The flat greets me with silence. Dust lies over everything like a thin shroud, untouched and forgotten, but my eyes go straight to the mantel.
The family photo still stands there, slightly crooked. Mom’s warm smile. Dad’s arm wrapped around her shoulders. Me in the middle, gap-toothed and grinning like the world could never hurt me.
For a moment, the memories come too fast. Movie nights stretched across the living room floor. Popcorn fights that ended with Mom pretending to scold us while laughing anyway. Dad running beside me as I wobbled on my bike, his hand hovering just behind the seat, ready to catch me if I fell.
Mom’s voice drifting through my bedroom at night as she read stories until my eyelids grew heavy.
My chest tightens. Tears blur the photo as I lift it from the mantel, fingers curling around the frame like it might anchor me.
“Why did you leave me all alone?” I whisper. My voice breaks. “I needed you. I still do.”
The words collapse into quiet sobs before I can stop them. I swipe at my face with the back of my hand, forcing myself to breathe. Crying won’t fix anything. Falling apart won’t either.
Maddie can’t be dragged into this. Not after that text. Whoever is watching me has already proven how far they can reach.
And Ryan… Ryan isn’t safe for different reasons. His temper is a fuse waiting to burn down.
I set the photo back where it belongs and grab a rag from the drawer. Cleaning gives my hands something to do. I dust the shelves, the table, the counters.
I sweep the floor, the grit crunching under the broom. The repetition dulls the edge of my panic, each motion grounding me a little more than the last.
This place may be abandoned, but it’s still standing. For now, it’s mine. A temporary shelter. A hiding place. Somewhere to breathe while I figure out what comes next.
At night, I curl on the old couch, phone in hand as I scroll job listings. Anything to distract from the shadows. The call with Maddie and Al connects on speaker, their voices a lifeline.
"Ree, you okay over there?" Maddie asks, concern thick. "Your parents' place has been empty forever. Come back. My couch misses you."
"I'm good." I say, forcing lightness. "Since I'm off uni, figured I'd use the time. Looking for part-time work."
Al chimes in, his tone supportive. "What kind? Content gigs?"
"Yeah." I reply, clicking on one. "Found a content writing job. Pay's decent."
Maddie hums. "Apply, then. But don't overdo. Therapy's for unloading, not overloading."
I scan the application, heart sinking at the requirements. "Crap. It needs documents, transcripts, ID. I left them at Ryan's place."
Maddie sucks in a breath. "No way, Ree. You can't go back there. Stay put. We'll figure alternatives."
Al jumps in. "I'll drive you. Grab and go. Quick in, quick out. Not letting you face that alone."
I hesitate, relief mixing with fear. "You sure? I don't want to drag you into my mess."
"Positive." Al says. "Tomorrow evening? Pick you up at four?"
"Okay." I agree, gratitude warming me. "Thanks, guys. Means everything."
We chat a bit more before hanging up. I set the phone down, staring at the ceiling, thinking it's been years since I slept in this house. The silence presses, but it's mine. Safe, for now. Sleep comes slow, dreams tangled with threats and dust.