Page 42 of Raven

* * *

By the timewe reached the ridge, the road had turned to gravel, and the signal on my phone dropped to nothing. The building came into view—an old concrete structure, half-eaten by ivy, with rusted doors and shattered windows, and definitely abandoned.

“This is it?” I asked, climbing out slowly. My shoulder hurt, and my head was a little dizzy. I knew it was a mistake coming here.

Katherine nodded, pulling a flashlight from her bag. “It’s just through here. The hidden room is supposed to be behind a false panel in the back of the building.”

We stepped inside, our footsteps echoing across the cracked floor. Dust filled the air, thick and undisturbed.

“Kind of weird you found blueprints no one else had,” I said, trying to keep it light.

She didn’t laugh. “I have my sources.”

We walked deeper into the dark building. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. This reminded me of some kind of gold mining cave. Something felt… off, like the air was too still, too silent.

Katherine stopped at a metal panel on the far wall. “This is it.”

She pried it open. Nothing was behind it—just solid concrete.

I frowned. “This is what you wanted to show me?”

She stared at the panel a moment longer. Then slowly turned toward me.

“I needed to get you away from the station. Away from your brothers. From Raven.”

My heart skipped. “What?”

Katherine’s smile was cold and fragile. “You don’t see it, do you? Everyone always sees you. Listens to you. You walk into a room, and suddenly I don’t exist.”

My pulse quickened. I took a small step back. “Katherine… what are you talking about?”

“You were never supposed to be at that fire,” she said, her voice calm. “But then you were. And I thought… maybe a small injury. Just enough to get you out of the way. But even bruised, you still bounce back.”

I stared at her. “You set that fire.”

Her eyes glistened, and her voice turned almost gentle. “I just needed space to do what I had to do. But you keep getting in the way.”

I reached for my phone, but there was no signal. Of course.

“I’m leaving,” I said, trying to keep my tone steady.

She didn’t move to stop me. “That’s fine. But think carefully about what you say when you get back. You wouldn’t want to start a panic. Or… accidentally draw attention to someone who’s already under stress. They might think you were losing it, and set you up to see a psychiatrist.”

I stepped toward the exit.

“I’m serious, Katherine. You need help.”

But I didn’t look back.

* * *

Outside,I walked fast. The SUV was still parked where we left it. I climbed inside, locked the doors, and tried the ignition.

She had the keys.

I closed my eyes and forced myself to breathe. Slow. Steady.

I had to get out of here.

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