Page 91 of The Bitterroot Inn (Jamison Valley 5)
“Thank you,” I mouthed.
He nodded and settled into one of two guest chairs.
Hunter and I said our good-byes to Michael, Mom and Dad, then left them alone.
“I need to do something before we go,” I told Hunter as we walked down the hall. “But I’ll need your help. I don’t think I can do it myself.”
Somehow, Hunter knew what I meant without having to explain. “Are you sure you want to do this tonight? It’s been a rough one already.”
I nodded. “I want to do it while I’m brave enough.”
“Okay, baby.” His hand rested at the small of my back. “Then I’ll be right here.”
Descending the stairs, I gripped the railing tighter with every step. My free hand was shaking by the time I hit the first floor.
“Okay?” Hunter asked.
I nodded and took another step toward the basement door. When my fingers wrapped around the metal handle, they barely had the strength to twist the knob and turn.
Luckily, it wasn’t locked and the heavy door squeaked as I pulled it open. The cool, stale air from the basement blew into my face. With Hunter propping the door open, I stepped through the frame and stood on the landing above the stairs.
I can do this. I can do this.
I would do this.
And then maybe I’d be free.
One step at a time—with Hunter’s hand reminding me he was there—I descended the cement stairs into the basement of my terrors. Then slowly, I made my way to the deadly storage room at the end of the hall.
Looking over my shoulder, I got a reassuring nod from Hunter, then turned and stepped into the gray room.
Not much had changed in all these years. Some things had moved. Others hadn’t. It was still cold and smelled like concrete. I didn’t move any further into the space than just inside the doorway. I didn’t need to move further. From this spot, I could survey the entire room.
Expecting one of my flashes, I braced as my eyes hit the spot where I’d stabbed Everett.
When it didn’t come, I waited a few more heartbeats. Then some more.
Still, nothing happened.
My eyes swept the room twice more and then I turned around. I didn’t need to stay longer. I’d done what I had needed to do. I’d taken a small piece of me back, a piece Everett had stolen years ago. He didn’t get to keep the hospital anymore. It was mine again.
“I’m done here.”
Hunter nodded and, without comment, held my hand to lead me out of the basement. When we reached the lobby, he shut the basement door and pulled me into his arms. “I’m proud of you. That couldn’t have been easy.”
“It wasn’t.” I pressed my cheek to his heart. “Thank you for coming with me and for helping me inside earlier. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without you.”
“You would have found a way, but I’m glad I could help. How are you feeling?”
Exhausted. Numb. Strange. “I thought it would feel different.” It had been harder to cross through the ER doors than it had been to look upon the place where I’d taken a man’s life.
“Different how?”
“I guess I thought it would be harder. More emotional maybe? More final?”
“Give it time.” He let me go and took my hand. “Let’s go get Coby.”
“Okay.” As we walked, I looked over my shoulder at the basement door.
