Alyssa was empathetic to their situation. After Isaac’s ordeal, the thought of allowing him out of her sight for even a second had her edgy and anxious. Even today, if he was more than a couple of minutes late returning home from school or other activities, she perched on pins and needles until he was home again.

‘I’m glad everyone’s here,’ she said, hesitating when Addis, with Grace’s help, slid off the bed and walked over to her. The hug was unexpected and shredded some of Alyssa’s self-control as her arms automatically engulfed the teenager in return. Voice choking, Addis whispered a soft thank you.

Then, she stepped back and, sounding like she was speaking around a golf ball, addressed both Alyssa and Cord. ‘Most of my wounds are superficial.’ Her fingers hovered over the jagged cut crisscrossing her cheek that would likely become a permanent visual reminder of the trauma she and Emerson had endured. ‘The doctors say I’ll be good as new, physically speaking, as soon as I’m properly hydrated.’ Guilt flashed in her eyes as she peered at Emerson. When she turned back, she whispered, ‘Tony said you wouldn’t give up.’ This time, Addis collapsed into Grace’s arms, her sobs ricocheting off the walls of the room.

It was several minutes before Hannah, red-eyed, stood and gently cupped Addis’s elbow so she could escort her to Emerson’s side. Immediately, their hands found each other and joined together, offering the silent support only best friends and those with shared nightmares could do. Alyssa’s heart constricted at the movement that so much reminded her of Holly, Sophie, Rachel, and Jersey.

‘It was my fault Emerson was kidnapped.’ Addis’s announcement, so sudden and unexpected, sucked all noise from the room.

Emerson was the first to break the silence. Gripping Addis’s chin, she forced her to look at her. ‘It’s not.’

‘It is, and you know it. If I hadn’t gotten so mad at my mom and gone to your house—’

Mrs. Childress cut her off. ‘Then there’s a strong possibility we’d be mourning your death, too. Of course, you’d come to our home when you’re upset. When have you two girls ever done anything differently? What matters in this moment is that you’re both safe now. And I believe that’s because you had each other to stay strong for.’

Alyssa hated to break the moment, but she and Cord still had a job to do. ‘I know this won’t be easy, but we need you to walk us through what happened that night.’

Emerson’s gaze flickered from her mother to her sister and back again. ‘I think you or Daddy should take Hannah to the cafeteria to grab a bite to eat.’

Hannah started to protest, but Mrs. Childress silenced her youngest daughter with a warning look.