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, lost

knocked softly, her voice small

the door for me,

beneath

the world. Every time she closed her eyes, the horror

mind, swallowing the last bits of light

Instead, her voice rang out,

want to see anyone! Go

filled with tears. She'd cried so much these past few

were nearly swollen shut.

for James and his quick thinking-thank

from the

her mind, even the

dead, taking

could: the four were all recently

no money,

suspiciously so. No one could figure

different crimes, never met before, no overlap at

brought

Salstrom, Detective Lucas is here," the

Lucas was leading the

trust anyone else with this case-there were too many

it hit too

to Salma. "Mom, please keep an

anything happens, call me right

scared Anastasia might hurt

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

the kidnapping, Herman had sent the

out of harm's way.

alone in the living room. He stood up

concern written

"How's Anastasia doing?"

woke

Herman sat

with shaking hands.

too much

on that

shook his head, looking

yet. Herman,

reeks of planning. Try

remember-have you or Ana