Chapter 2

Under the psychiatrist's care, I had indeed forgotten the horrific details of the crime. The pain was gone.

But I could never forget the physical sensation of that night.

The suffocating despair rushed back, triggered instantly by that familiar scent.

"Chloe, I know a fantastic diner out in the suburbs," the man’s voice echoed from the front. "I’ll take you and Luna there first. We can hit the mall afterward."

Hearing his voice made my skin crawl.

Why was he taking us to the suburbs?

Was Chloe his next target? Or was he planning to get both of us at once?

My hand instinctively reached for the door handle. It was locked. The master controls were on the driver’s side.

"Sure, sounds great," Chloe agreed without a second thought. She turned her head to look at me. "Luna, this is Ethan Cole. We’re going to grab some food with him first. The fresh air out there will do you some good."

I fought to keep my voice from shaking. "I don’t want to go to the suburbs. Let’s just go straight to the mall."

I was stuck in the back. Chloe was in the passenger seat. I couldn’t whisper to her.

My parents, claiming they wanted to protect me from seeing triggering news online, hadn’t bought me a smartphone yet. I couldn’t call 911. I couldn’t even text for help.

Right now, I just needed to get to a crowded, safe place. Only then could I grab Chloe, run, and call the cops.

"Sure, sure. We’ll go straight to the mall. Don't worry, Luna."

"Are you just not used to being out? You're shaking so hard. Do you feel sick?"

Chloe’s concerned voice only made the chill on my back grow colder.

I hadn't even realized I was trembling.

Ethan had noticed, too. Through the rearview mirror, I saw his eyes narrow. He abruptly yanked the steering wheel, turning the car onto a quiet, deserted side road.

"I’ll take a shortcut and get Luna to a hospital first."

I wanted to scream that I was fine, to tell him to get back on the main highway.

But that would only confirm his suspicions.

Panic paralyzed me. I had no idea what to do.

Violent, bloody images flashed in my mind—blurry memories of me covered in blood, being tortured within an inch of my life.

Suddenly, the car screeched to a halt. Ethan slammed his hand against the steering wheel. "Sounds like the engine's acting up. I need to check under the hood."

Without waiting for a response, he got out.

I pulled the door handle. Still locked.

From the back of the car, I heard the trunk pop open, followed by the clanking of heavy metal tools.

"Luna, what is wrong with you? You’re dripping sweat!" Chloe leaned over her seat, frantically touching my forehead.

I grabbed her hand, my voice desperate. "Chloe, your friend... Ethan... there's something wrong with him—"

Before I could finish, Chloe laughed and cut me off.

"What are you talking about? Ethan isn't my boyfriend."

"He’s the guy Mom and Dad set you up with before. He stayed by your side through everything. This whole trip was planned so you two could reconnect."

"Luna, don't tell me you’ve completely forgotten Ethan?"

My... setup?

I had a boyfriend?

I didn’t recognize his face at all.

Every instinct in my body only associated him with one thing—the terror of my assault.

"No, Chloe, listen to me, Ethan is dangerous—"

The car door was suddenly yanked open. Ethan stood there, holding a heavy iron wrench.

"Girls, we’re stuck. The car is dead."