Page 104 of Unbidden

“Tinsley, honey. Why don’t you step outside?” Alice whispers to her quietly.

Tinsley’s sad eyes meet mine. “I don’t want to leave her.”

Alice looks at me, leaving the decision up to me.

“Aunt Alice is right.”

I hear a small gasp and look to Alice. She’s holding back tears as her hand covers her mouth. “Sorry. That’s just the first time you called me Aunt Alice.”

Was it? Huh. I guess it was.

I give her a small smile before continuing. “You should probably step outside.”

“I promised Reed I would stay by your side. That I would take care of you.”

Tinsley likes to think she’s grown, but she’s still a child inside needing to be comforted when life is scary. I want so badly to hold her but know that I can’t. So I do the next best thing for her.

“Where is Reed? Why isn’t he here?” I know why he isn’t here. We broke up. He used me. He hates me.

Her face lights up though. “You want to see him?”

I look at her with a perfectly constructed confused stare. “Why wouldn’t I? I thought he would be here to make sure I was okay.”

Her bubbly personality floods back. “He was here. He didn’t want to be in the way, so he ran down the street. I’ll go call him now and tell him you’re asking for him. He’ll be right back.”

As she rushes from the room, the doctor gives me a concerned look. “Memory loss is common with the drugs found in your system. They may wear off in a couple of days and you could remember more, but it’s unlikely you’ll remember everything. You were given triple the normal amount.”

“Drugs? What drugs?”

The police officer steps in. “What do you remember from two nights ago?”

“Two nights?” I repeat, confused.

“Honey, two nights ago, you were brought into the hospital by Sterling Brooks. He didn’t know exactly what happened to you, so they arrested him. He’s being held until we get this cleared up.” Alice is the one who drops that bombshell on me.

“Let’s try this instead.” Elijah sends a pointed look at Officer Henderson. “What’s the last thing you can remember?”

“I was at work. It was pretty busy. I went on break and planned to grab a pretzel from the food court. Before I went, I checked my messages. Tinsley texted me saying she needed me. I remember going to a house party. I was trying to find Tinsley, but I don’t think I found her. It’s fuzzy after that. “

“Good. That’s good,” Officer Henderson gently praises me before taking back over. “Did you know anyone at the party?”

This time, it takes me a moment to think. Then a face flashes in my head. “Ingram was there. She helped me look for Tinsley.”

Elijah’s face shows his surprise, but he doesn’t speak. My mind starts playing back bits and pieces from that night.

“She said she saw Tinsley go upstairs. She took me to the room she was in.” I struggle to remember what happened next.

“Do you remember meeting anyone else?” Office Henderson gives me a small smile, telling me he’s going to continue to question me even if it’s getting harder on me.

I lay my head back and close my eyes. Images fly through my head like a filing cabinet that I’m flipping through.

“I think that’s enough for now. She needs rest,” Dr. Ramb says softly.

“No,” I interrupt them. “I’m just trying to remember. Give me a minute.”

Everyone is silent while I continue to push through my memories. Then the voice and face hit me along with the fear.

“Asher.” I gasp. “Asher was there. He hurt me.”

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