Page 40 of Hollow

Something twists in my gut at the implication that she’s been dealing with this for a long time. That this broken girl in my greenhouse isn’t only about what happened with Liam.

“People can be idiots about illness,” I say. “They don’t know what to say, so they treat you differently.”

“Exactly.” She nods, then yawns. “You don’t, though.”

“No point. You’ve already proven you’re tougher than you look.”

She nods like this makes perfect sense. The herbs are really hitting her system now—her eyes are half-closed, her body swaying.

“I should really sit down,” she murmurs.

“Here.” I guide her to my cot. “Just for a minute.”

She sits heavily, then lets herself fall sideways until she’s lying down. “Just for a minute,” she echoes, her words drowsy.

She won’t be getting back up tonight. The mixture I made is powerful. Even in someone without her health issues, it would induce heavy sleep within minutes. For her, with her compromised system, it’s working even faster.

“The house...” she murmurs, fighting to keep her eyes open.

“It’s fine,” I say. “No one’s there to miss you.”

“Mmm.”

Her eyes close fully, her breathing deepening. She’s still wearing my flannel shirt, curled on her side with her hands tucked under her cheek. She looks younger asleep, the worry lines around her mouth softening.

I grab a blanket from the foot of my cot and drape it over her. She doesn’t stir.

My phone buzzes in my pocket. Another text from Flint.

SEARCH PARTY HEADING TOWARD WATERS PROPERTY. WARN BRIAR.

Too late for that. I glance at her sleeping form, then type back:

SHE’S WITH ME. ASLEEP. SAFE.

The reply comes instantly:

THE GREENHOUSE?

YES.

STAY THERE. I’LL COME WHEN SHIFT ENDS.

I frown at the screen. It’s not his call to make.

NOT NECESSARY.

WASN’T ASKING.

I almost smile at the echo of my earlier words to Briar. Typical Flint, using my own lines against me.

I put away my phone and look around the greenhouse. If search parties are coming this way, I need to make sure everything looks normal. I grab my pruning shears and get back to the evening’s work, harvesting herbs for tomorrow’s tinctures. Lavender stems fall under my blade, filling the air with their calming scent.

Behind me, Briar sleeps deeply on my cot, occasionally making small sounds but never fully waking. I find myself listening for those sounds, tracking her presence even with my back turned.

Through the glass walls, I can see lights moving in the far distance—flashlights, probably. The search party making their way across the island. Soon they’ll reach the Waters property, combing through the grounds, looking for any sign of Liam. They won’t find anything. Not in the dark, not with the work I’ve done hiding the grave.

But they’ll be close. Too close.

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