“Ash, it’s me,” Becca whispered. Ash let out a soft moan, her fingers tightening around Becca’s. Ash’s eyes fluttered open. “I’m here. I’m right here,” Becca said over and over again. “You’re so brave. The bravest person I ever met. I just need you to hurry up and get better soon because Freud misses you. He said that things just aren’t the same without you around.”

“Mom…,” Ash croaked. There it was. The words Becca longed to hear. Ash was awake. She was talking. Becca smiled through her tears as she leaned in closer. “We’ve been searching everywhere for you. All of us. Nina, Rafi, and Virginia. Even Christian. Hell, half the LAPD was looking for you.”

“I’m sorry. So, so sorry,” Ash mumbled.

“None of this is your fault. None of it. I know who did this,” Becca said.

“The Tribe. Find the Tribe,” she gasped.

“I know. I found them. I found the people who did this. They’re going to answer for this. I promise.”

“Mo,” Ash mumbled. “It’s Mo.”

Becca sat up a little straighter. Ash was confessing something very important. “Mo did this to you? She’s the one?”

“Crazy… she’s crazy. Don’t let her hurt Nate. Help… him,” Ash pleaded, her eyes closing again, these final words stealing her last bit of energy.

“I will, sweet girl. I promise.” Ash’s hands were grasping for Becca. “And I promise she can’t hurt you anymore. She can’t hurt anyone. You’re safe,” Becca said. Ash drifted back to sleep, her breathing slow and labored.

Becca sat there, thinking about Ash’s plea. She’d failed Nate once before; she couldn’t do it again. She wasn’t sure how long she sat there watching Ash, seeing the rise and fall of her chest. She wanted to stay there forever, but Becca had to check on what happened to Mo and the others.

Becca leaned down and kissed Ash’s forehead. “Stay strong,” Becca whispered.

She returned to the waiting room, empty except for Virginia, who sat in the same chair, her eyes closed, tightly clutching her rosary and murmuring prayers under her breath.

“Mama, where did Christian go?”

Virginia startled. “Oh dear, Rebecca, you can’t sneak up on me like that.” She took a ragged breath. “Your father and Christian went to grab coffee. They’ll be right back.”

Becca’s entire body was buzzing as she anxiously paced back and forth. “I need to see Chris,” she said. “I have to talk to him.”

Virginia stood, gently taking Becca’s arm. “Rebecca, sit down before you collapse. I told you they’ll be back in a few minutes.”