Kaitlynn and her two children

d the lock clicked. Dr. Ahmed Brennan threw open the door, his grey hair sticking up

blood matting his hair. His sleepiness vani

on on the paper-covered table. The clini

e tremor in her hands. "Possible concussion. He lost consciousness for approxi

bly clinical assessment for a woman who had just been attacked. But he

n murmured, checking the boy's

I was sure he could move his

. His pupils are reactive. Looks like a mild concussion and a la

had been keeping her upright suddenly drained away, leaving her feeling hollow. T

at her skirt, her face

r lips felt numb. She lifted Paige onto a chair. "Close your eyes

s, her head lolled back against th

ging it neatly. "He'll sleep through the night

" Kaitlynn's voice

ankets. The moment he

memories, but they felt like hers. She saw a man with a bright smile, wearing a green beret. Colt. She saw him laugh

folded triangle of s

n Beret. Killed in

aw Temperance, the mother-in-law, her face twisted in contempt, slapping the original Kaitlynn across the face.

m take everything-her husband's money, her dignity, her s

ruce was n

nn looked down at her own stomach. She couldn't remember the last t

here. She had to

ng charts. "Doctor, I have to go home

wned. "You

food for the morning." She didn't mention tha

g into the woods behind the building. The forest was dark, but her eyes adjusted quickl

basic DEA survival training, the kind of thing they taught you in case you

on, her movements swift and efficient. She built a small fire in the backyard fire pit, r

back to the clinic. Paige woke

Paige whispered, as

nn tore off a leg, han

but she didn't care. She ate until the bones were clean, then loo

you,

e for herself, the savory meat a jolt of much-needed energy. Kaitlynn wiped

was awake, sitting up in bed, his eyes-da

er clothes, the rabbit leg in her hand, the calm confidence in her stance. He didn't l

as quiet, but it carried a weight that m

ered him the

leaving hers. He didn't a

Baxter stepped in, his hat in his hands. He was a ta

ntly. "I need to ask you a

her lower lip tremble. She wrapped her arm

vering. "Dwayne, he just... he kicked the door in. He hit

her breath was calculated. She was a ghost, a shadow, hi