“Hello?”

“God, Spencer, are you okay?” I had never been more relieved to hear her voice.

“I wasn’t sure if it was safe to answer or not. I’m sorry.”

“No, don’t apologise. Now that I think about it, I’m glad you didn’t answer so soon.”

“Where are you?”

“Just around the corner. I’ll be home later.” Home. I missed my apartment. All of my plants would be dead. Dead like me.

“What are you doing?”

“There are some things I need to sort out.”

“What type of things?”

“The less you know, the better, Spencer. Look, I gotta go. I’ll be home soon. I promise.”

“Ashley?”

“Yes?”

“Will you bring me some food?”

“Yeah.” I hung up and continued walking out of the mall.

———————————————————————————

All I knew about Paula Carlin were the bits Spencer told me during our long car rides. I found myself parked outside a hospital, the same hospital I found Spencer in. I started tapping my fingers on the steering wheel, unsure of what to do. I looked at one of the signs and found the hospital’s number. I started to dial.

I didn’t wait for the person who answered to speak. There was no time for friendliness, not when it came to Paula Carlin. Sensing my irritation, I was put through without any questions being asked

“Hello?”

“A doctor who’s supposed to save lives wants her own daughter dead. How ironic.”

“Who is this?”

“It’s not important. Why do you want her dead?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I love my daughter.”

“So says she. Cut the crap. Tell me why you want her dead.”

“You have my daughter?”

“Yes.”

“Is she still alive?”

I started to laugh. “Like you care.”

“I do care! This has all gotten so out of control.”

“I need to see you in person.”

“That can’t happen right now. I’m about to go into surgery.”

“Tomorrow then.”

“I’m not sure I even want to meet you. How do I know you’re not going to kill me instead of my darling daughter?” This woman was a cold hearted bitch.

“Trust me, I’d like nothing more than to torture you, body part by body part. But that won’t get us anywhere. You have answers that I need.”