Page 86 of Hide And Seek

Somewhere between all those conflicting feelings, exhaustion finally won. It always did in the end. The difference was that this time, when I closed my eyes, I wasn’t afraid of what I’d see. Because all I could see now was Rhys.

But… that was its own kind of problem, wasn’t it?

19

I was pouringmy third cup of coffee at eight-thirty the following morning when Knox sidled up to me in the kitchen.

“Hey, Alissa. Could I talk to you for a minute?” he asked under his breath.

“Sure. What’s up?” I replied, brows lifting.

He glanced over his shoulder, checking the doorway, then leaned in slightly. “Some of the guys want to do another search today, and I said I’d go with them,” he said. “We’re starting with all those old tunnels first, and then we’ll scout the woods again. See if the killer’s left anything lying around since our first search.”

I nodded. “Sounds like a good idea.”

“Yeah, well… they want to head out now, and I didn’t get a chance to sneak more food up to Rhys yet,” Knox went on. “So he’s got nothing for breakfast or lunch unless he rationed what I brought last night.” He hesitated. “Any chance you and Jasmine could take something to him?”

“Sure. We’ve got it.”

His shoulders dropped with relief. “Thanks. You’re a lifesaver.”

“It’s fine.” I gave him a small smile. “Just be careful out there, okay?”

“I will.” He gave my shoulder a quick pat, then headed straight for the door.

I waited a beat before stepping into the doorway and calling out toward my usual table. “Hey, Jas? Can you come help me find the Splenda packets? I think someone moved them again.”

Jasmine looked up from the table and came over immediately. The second she stepped into the kitchen, she arched an eyebrow. “Is this really about artificial sweetener?” she asked. “Or does it have something to do with the fact that I just saw Knox walk out of here?”

“The latter.”

Once I’d explained, she lifted a shoulder in a casual shrug. “Well, I guess we can’t let him starve,” she said. “Not that I suddenly care about Rhys. But I feel like everyone would be pretty confused if he turned up dead from starvation after already dying from an ax to the back.”

I huffed out a quiet laugh. “Fair point.”

She patted her jacket. “Lucky it’s colder than usual this morning, so we can hide stuff in our pockets,” she said, already turning toward the pantry. “If you want to make some sandwiches, I’ll go look for snacks to pack.”

I nodded and started on a couple of PB&Js. Once they were done, I wrapped them and slid one into my jacket pocket, setting the other aside for Jasmine.

She came back a minute later with a granola bar, a small packet of trail mix, and two protein bars. “Got him all the flavors I hate,” she said with a sly smile as she distributed them between her pockets. “That’s what he gets for freaking us out with the fake death stunt.”

I handed her the second sandwich, my mouth twisting slightly. “Any idea how we can get out of here without anyone tagging along?” I asked. “I thought about saying we’re going to the bathroom, but that could backfire, because one of the others might need to go too.”

“Relax. I’ve got it.” She winked. “Just follow my lead.”

As we rejoined the table, Jasmine slipped into character instantly, hand resting on her stomach, face tightening into a mild grimace.

“Hey, guys, we’re just heading to the bathroom,” she said. “And if you value your lives… stay out of the western block for the next twenty minutes.”

Tamsin blinked. “Um. Why?”

“Let’s just say all this stress has done a real number on my digestive system,” Jasmine said grimly. “And if what I’m feeling in my guts right now is any indication, it’s about to get ugly. And loud.”

Wren groaned. “Jas. I’m still eating.”

“Sorry.” Jasmine lifted a brow. “But spare a thought for poor Alissa. She volunteered to be my bathroom buddy.”

“I’ll survive,” I said, raising a hand.