Page 15 of Framed

How could Briggs affordthis? I figured crime paid well but damn. This had to cost at least a couplemilliondollars in the long-term.

Money wasn’t new to me, and I was fortunate enough to have a parent who did well for himself, but this? This was a different ballgame, even for me. This was what separated the little leagues from the pros. This was true wealth.

There were three bedrooms. I found myself wandering to explore them all, but the unladylike yawn that left my lips told me that the last two days were finally starting to wear on me.

I decided to take a nap first. Then I’d wake up and explore, I promised myself. Just a quick nap—at least, that’s what I told myself as I kicked my shoes off.Just a nap, I reminded myself as I nestled into the softest mattress I’d ever laid on.Just a nap, was my last thought as I drifted into a deep sleep.

***

The moment my body’s natural alarm woke me, I knew I’d slept for too long. It was still dark inside the master bedroom and the large grey linen curtains were still drawn shut. But there was a hint of morning sunshine seeping through the sides. My brain was a fog and I was slightly disoriented from the overt amount ofamazingsleep I’d gotten last night. Then terror-stricken realization wracked my body.

I was supposed to meet Athena. Had I missed her? Did I fuck this up?

Way to fucking go, Scarlett. My eyes scanned the room, looking for something, anything. Then they landed on a dark olive-green bag sitting in a grey chair in the corner of the room, near the window. There was a folded piece of paper resting on top.

I exhaled a deep breath, relieved, as I stood up and padded over to the bag. I grabbed the note first and read it silently.

Scarlett,

My dear, in the two years that I’ve known you, I’ve never seen you look so peaceful, so serene in sleep. My heart couldn’t bear waking you. I didn’t want to disrupt that peace. Lord knows you deserve it.

In this bag, you will find a few necessities: hair dye, a new I.D., and the items you requested from your family home. That stepmom of yours is a real piece of work. Didn’t want to let me in; I almost had to body-check her.

I grinned at that. Couldn’t have blamed Athena if she had.

I won’t ask you what was in the safe. I could be reading more into this and creating narratives in my head. Who knows. But I like to think I’ve gotten to know you quite well, so I will say: please don’t feel like you have to face anything alone. You have an entire family back here who wants you to experience everything you never got to in life.

Briggs went to extreme measures to ensure that you will be able to find that in Stapleton. The people there are different. Genuine. You’ll hopefully come to find out about that soon. There’s not a place on this Earth where you’ll be safer, so I’ll end this by saying: don’t be afraid to fall in love or to meet new people. Learn to accept help. Not everyone is operating at an angle.It’s okay to trust again.

Most of all, don’t be afraid to live.

You are a light in a dark place, even when you don’t realize it, Scarlett Rose. Don’t be afraid to share that light

This isn’t goodbye.

This is simply see you later.

P.S. Sally wanted me to leave you with her favorite pair of scissors.

I couldn’t pinpoint exactly when the pool of tears started leaking from my eyes. But by the time I opened the bag to find the pair of dual-set scissors the guards confiscated from Sally upon our arrival at the center, a full-body sob escaped from the back of my throat.

I was going to miss them like crazy. They had become my family over the past few years. I couldn’t bear the thought of never being able to see them again. But I knew that was realistically what would have to happen.

I couldn’t go back there now. Not until I knew things were tied up with the Sinclairs; not until I was safe.

But right then and there, I vowed that one day, I would go back. One day I would be able to repay them for the kindness they showed me over the years.

A single tear dripped onto Athena’s letter as I picked it up to read through it once more. She was right.

This isn’t goodbye. This is simply see you later.

chapter six

Scarlett

FortunaRoyalUniversitysatin the middle of nowhere. It was massive, located on at least a couple dozen of acres of land. Secluded, too. The campus itself looked as big as an entire town and its intricate design stuck out like a sore thumb compared to the passing farmlands. It was also very secure. I had to go through three screenings and an intensive search before I was even allowed through the gate.

That made me feel a little better, though not much. I still wasn’t entirely sure what was waiting for me inside.

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