Page 121 of Wallflower

Amethyst.

Violet.

Lilac.

Reid stops before the door, keying a code into the pad next to it.

My door didn’t have a code. I look to the man, he offers an explanation without a prompt. “High-risk clientele and their…lovers are monitored almost twenty-four hours a day. Prevents the possibility of a coup being orchestrated.”

Rip bumps his shoulder into me. “Hear that? We were high risk.”

I force a mangled smile. I know he’s trying to lighten my somber fucking mood, but I can’t help feeling anything but morose at the moment.

“The door won’t lock on its own, you may leave when you’re ready.”

“Thank you, Reid,” Rip replies, reaching for the knob.

“Umm…”

“Yes, Reid?”

“Should I go look for some scissors?”

“That won’t be enough. We need some wire cutters or small metal shears. The fucker used wire.”

“I can get you some. Will you stay here until I return?”

Ripley looks to me, and I return a shrug.

“If we aren’t in here, we’ll be in the lobby.”

“I’ll be quick,” Reid says before disappearing back down the hall.

“Are you ready?”

I nod, placing my hand over his and turning the knob.

Her signature scent is a slap in the face as soon as the door swings open. Vanilla and citrus, with the lingering salty brine of the ocean…

Karson.

My eyes sweep over the barren room. It’s been stripped—no sheets, no pillows, no mattress. A chunk of the carpet has been cut out and removed, along with the underlay. I move toward the barren spot. The white marble floor beneath it sparkling and spotless. Buried under the familiar smell of my sister, lingers the tag of bleach, stinging my nose.

“I’ll find her, baby.”

Ripley’s voice at my back infiltrates my memories. The ones where Maximus threatened to feed my sister to the sharks that eagerly wait at the base of the cliff. Maybe it wasn’t a threat. Maybe he already did it. And he was dangling her wellbeing as a way to force my compliance, all the while knowing she was long gone.

Digested.

“I hope these will suffice,” Reid says, breaking the silence. He hands the metal cutters to Ripley.

I spell Karson’s name out upon his skin and he asks where my handler is.

“He fled when the alarm went off. I’m sure he will return. He wouldn’t be aware of Max’s passing, and owes him a life debt.”

“Thank you, Reid. You’re free to go.”

He nods sadly. “I’ll be staying at the Seaside Motel for the time being, if you need me.”