The Bound Between Us

Herman had once suspected Sandy-and even Asher.

But it turned out neither of them was to blame.

Whoever did this, it wasn't them.

The scene had been brutal. The four kidnappers were found dead, their faces

unrecognizable from the violence. At the cave, police discovered blood from a fifth

person-someone who wasn't among the dead or Anastasia. But the DNA didn't

match anyone in the system.

So who was the fifth person? No one knew yet.

Until that person was found, what really happened in that cave would stay a

mystery.

The house was steeped in shadows. Herman reached for the light switch, but

Anastasia stopped him, panic flickering in her eyes. She couldn't stand the light.

She seemed made for the dark now-like a wounded creature, hiding away, afraid

to be seen, afraid to be touched.

She wouldn't let Herman near. Wild-eyed, she pushed him away, her voice

breaking: "Go! Just go, please!"

The heavy door slammed between them, sealing her in.

Herman stood there, fists clenched, his breath ragged with helplessness. He

pressed his forehead against the wall before slamming his fist into it, desperate to

let out his pain.

Salma, Anastasia's mother, had barely left Southridge Estates since the incident.

Hearing the commotion, she hurried upstairs.

"Son, how is Ana?" she asked, her voice trembling with worry.

shook his head, lost for

knocked softly, her voice small and pleading. "Ana,

door for

curled up beneath her blanket, hands clamped

Every time she closed her eyes, the horror

her mind, swallowing the last

answer the door. Instead, her voice rang out, raw and

don't want to see anyone!

tears. She'd cried so much these past few days, her

were nearly swollen shut.

James and his

suffered permanent damage from the

memory, her mind, even the

dead,

had uncovered what little they could:

connections, no

one could figure out how these four

for different crimes, never met

brought them

Detective Lucas is

was

didn't trust anyone else with this case-there were too many

it hit

turned to Salma. "Mom, please keep

anything happens,

was scared Anastasia might

wiped her eyes and nodded. "Don't worry. I'll be

sent the kids to Salstrom

out of harm's way.

was waiting alone in the living room.

written all over his

"How's Anastasia doing?"

woke up. She's...

Herman sat down,

with shaking

too much lately.

on that

shook his

yet. Herman,

reeks of

remember-have you or Ana