The Bound Between Us

Katelyn shot Daria a sharp look. "That's no way to speak, young lady. Say you're sorry."

Seeing Daria get scolded, Autumn's heart ached for her. "It's okay, really. She's just a kid. They all act up sometimes."

But Daria shouted, "She's mean! She yelled at Daddy!"

Kids have a way of knowing who's good to them and who isn't. They feel it deep down.

Katelyn huffed, exasperated. "Honestly, where are your manners? Sometimes I wonder if you have a mother at all. Flynn, take Daria upstairs."

That last jab-saying it's like Daria had a mother but no one to teach her-cut Autumn to the core.

Bitterness welled up inside her, but she forced herself to stay composed.

Flynn scooped up Daria and tried to lighten the mood. "Come on, let's go see if Emmie and Nancy want to play."

Daria was adorable and usually sweet as sugar-except when Autumn was around. Flynn liked her anyway. Kids shouldn't have to be dragged into grown-up

messes.

On the way upstairs, Daria just kept chattering away, making Flynn laugh as she promised she'd find him a girlfriend someday.

Flynn couldn't help but be curious about why Daria was so hostile toward Autumn.

Once they were upstairs, Flynn asked gently, "Hey, Daria, why were you so upset with that lady downstairs? Did she do something to your dad?"

Daria, only two, couldn't really put her feelings into words. She buried her face in Flynn's shoulder and mumbled, "She's bad. I don't like her."

Flynn grinned, "That's fair. You don't have to like her. Honestly, I'm not her biggest fan either."

up. "Really, Uncle Flynn?

"So,

was fishing for a compliment,

chirped,

Aunt Ana was Anastasia.

of her name made Flynn sigh.

***

Southridge Estates

ages. Herman brought her meals three

but she barely touched any of

how many

tried to convince her the past

couldn't shake the gloom that hung over

stuck in a maze with no way

adults, even giving up can feel like a luxury

Herman, but she couldn't walk away from her family

like a ghost-sitting by the

was at

finally managed to unlock the phone Rowan

was spotless. The only thing on it was a single text: "Once it's done, I'll get you both out of

warden at Northside Penitentiary—a man named

out into a

Dailey hopped out

a look. Dailey pulled a card and some wire from his

the metallic tang of blood filled the