Page 61 of Harley

Archer looked up and frowned.

“Aspen!”

“Oakley?” Aspen murmured, a light coming into her eyes.

“I’m here, and I’m getting you both out of this place,” I soothed, rubbing Aspen’s hand.

“Am I drugged again?” Aspen asked.

“No, I’m here, and I’ve paperwork to release you. The police are here, and there’ll be an investigation. Come on,” I explained, rising and urging Aspen to stand up.

Aspen remained sitting, and she looked at me with no emotion.

“Aspen, I’m here to take you home,” I said tearfully.

“Home?”

“Yes! What’s wrong with her?” I cried to Doc Gibbons as he approached.

“Oakley, I suspect they’ve been drugging Aspen to keep her calm. Hey, you, I want their files,” Doc Gibbons demanded of the sour-faced nurse.

“Who are you to demand anything?” the nurse retorted.

“Bitch, I’m their legal guardian, and they’re held here against their will,” I snapped. “This is not Angela and Aidan Cannon. This is Aspen and Archer Ferguson, who were placed here and given false identities. Now get Doctor Gibbons those fucking files!” I yelled.

The woman frowned and approached a wall-mounted phone. Moments later, another doctor appeared who began an argument that Steven instantly shut down.

The police backed Doc Gibbons up and accompanied the other doctor to get their files. In the meantime, Harley and I urged Aspen and Archer back to their room. I was grateful for small mercies—that they’d been held together.

Archer kept sending me curious looks and then glancing away. He’d not held eye contact before his incarceration, but now he seemed even scared of looking at people.

“Archer, it’s Auntie Oakley,” I said softly.

Archer continued staring at his feet.

My heart was breaking. So much emotional damage.

“Auntie Oaks?” Archer asked, suddenly surprising me. He rocked back and forward slightly. “What grows as strong as Aspens? Mighty Oaks,” he murmured.

“Aspens and Oaks grow together,” I replied with tears in my voice.

“And Archers hunt between them,” Archer responded.

“Archer, I’m here to take you home.”

“That is gone. They took us away. We live here now,” Archer stated.

“No. Auntie Oaks has been searching everywhere for you. Honey, I’m going to bring you home with me,” I said as Doc Gibbons began examining Aspen.

Aspen sat there and let him check her over.

“Outside?” Archer asked.

“Yes, out there, we’ll make sure you have a playground again,” I replied. I doubted Archer had played much here.

“Who’s that?” Archer demanded, pointing but not looking at Harley.

“This is my husband Harley. He plays baseball. You like baseball, remember? You’re going to come and live with us in a big house.”

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