No sooner had Bethany exited than Nick entered carrying a take-out bag from Blake’s Lotaburger, the scent of French fries drifting toward Rachel’s nose. ‘You’re awake. Just got off the phone with Dad. They’ll be by this evening to see you. In the meantime, you have another visitor.’

She twisted her head toward the open door. Anna. Rachel struggled to sit, a sob breaking through as her friend moved hesitantly from behind Nick and further into the room. And then Nick was by her side in an instant, squeezing her hand, reminding her he was there, and she realized she’d been on the verge of hyperventilating.

‘Anna?’

Her friend moved cautiously closer to the bed where she shoved her hands deep into her pockets and then swayed back and forth on the balls of her feet. ‘I’d heard you were here. I’m so sorry I haven’t come to see you before now. I just, I felt so bad because…’

‘I didn’t know what had happened to you. When I woke up, and you weren’t with me, I didn’t know if they’d taken you or killed you or…’ Rachel gripped her brother’s hand, reminding her to stay anchored in the moment, not to return to the house of horrors.

‘I’m the one who convinced you to go to the party that night. This is all my fault. I shouldn’t have left you alone. I forgot my purse, and when I came back, you were already gone. I just thought you’d gotten tired of waiting or that you were mad at me. And then you didn’t answer any of my texts, so…’

What was Anna talking about? When had she forgotten her purse? The last thing she remembered was sinking into the mattress…

Nick released Rachel’s hand long enough to set the take-out bag on the chair by the window and then crossed back over to Rachel, taking her hand in his again and clasping it between both of his before directing his question to Anna. ‘Why didn’t you go to the police when you realized my sister had disappeared?’

To a stranger, Nick probably sounded curious, but to Rachel, she heard the underlying tension in his voice. Plus, there had been a subtle tightening of his fingers around hers.

Anna averted her gaze, her shoulders drooping. ‘I went to visit my father in Kentucky, so I didn’t know. I got back late last night and saw it on the news. I’m so sorry.’

‘None of this is your fault.’ Even as Rachel said it, a tiny voice inside her screamed, Yes, it is! If you hadn’t insisted I go with you to that stupid party, none of this ever would’ve happened.

‘Um, I have to go, but I’ll be back tomorrow. If that’s okay?’

Rachel didn’t have a chance to answer because Nick did. ‘I’ll give you my number. Why don’t you text me before you come, and I’ll let you know if she’s up to visitors?’ He may have been smiling, but his voice contained a dark hint of distrust. Or blame.