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.

just shook his head,

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

open the door

Anastasia was curled up beneath her blanket, hands clamped

time she closed her eyes, the

last

door. Instead, her voice

want to

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

were nearly swollen shut.

for James and

damage from the

her mind, even the use of her

dead,

they could: the four were

no connections, no money,

could figure

for different crimes, never met before, no overlap

brought

Salstrom, Detective Lucas is here," the

was leading the

anyone else with

it hit too close to

steadying breath and turned to Salma. "Mom, please

happens, call me right

scared Anastasia might hurt

and nodded.

the kids to Salstrom Manor

out of harm's way.

waiting alone in the living

concern written all over

"How's Anastasia doing?"

woke up. She's...

sat down,

with shaking hands.

too much

that fifth

shook his head, looking

yet. Herman, this

of

remember-have you or Ana