Total pages in book: 55
Estimated words: 53529 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 268(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53529 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 268(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
My heart sags with the truth. “You never intended to let me be free, did you? It was a ploy to get me to help you.” I can’t believe my own brother would do this. “Were you going to let the government take me?”
“How can you say that? I’m your big brother. I’ve always protected you.”
“No, you’ve always looked out for your career. It’s why you want me to help Morris make more people like me.”
“Doing what’s best for our country is important, yes. But I would never use you, Huff. I’m genuinely insulted. I would put my life on the line for you.”
He’s lying. I know he is. In fact, I’m beginning to think he’s been manipulating me from the start—separating me from River, family, hiding me from the world.
“Why didn’t you tell me about River being locked up?” I ask. I’m guessing he didn’t want her blabbing to anyone that I was still alive, like she blabbed to her parents.
He’s silent for a long moment. A red flag. He’s thinking up an excuse. “I didn’t tell you because I thought it would upset you.”
“So you were just looking out for me again,” I say with an edge. “I gotta go.” I don’t know what he’s planning, but I know that looking out for me isn’t it.
“Huff, wait. What’re you going to do?”
“That’s no longer your business, brother.” Jerk.
I end the call and dial River’s house. Her mother picks up the phone immediately.
“Hi. It’s Huff. I want to know where River is.”
Turns out that River’s parents were not in the process of having her released from psychiatric care, but her mom wouldn’t say why. She simply said she was relieved to hear I wasn’t dead. When I asked if I could visit River, she told me to call the hospital and ask when visitors were allowed.
Why wouldn’t she know? Hadn’t they been visiting River? There was something strange in her voice—a rigidness or unfriendly vibe. I’ve known River’s parents almost my entire life, and one thing they’ve never been was cold.
It only ignites my urgency to see River.
I find a photo online of the facility, Clover Care Hospital, just outside of…Baltimore? River’s mom said Kyle helped them find the facility, but it’s pretty far. River’s parents are currently in the Midwest. It’s one more piece of evidence that Kyle was up to something.
I zip to the front door. The facility is in a large medical complex with a dozen or so buildings. This one is gray, sterile, and anything but welcoming.
It’s early evening by the time I go inside, and I’m greeted by a man in a black shirt with a four-leaf clover on the shirt pocket, sitting at the reception desk.
Doesn’t look so lucky to me. He has the face of a sour turd.
“Hi, I’m here to see River Thompson,” I say to the man.
“I’m sorry, but visiting hours aren’t until tomorrow from ten to two.”
I plant my hands on the desk, barreling down on him with my fucking-dare-me look. “It’s urgent. I need to speak with her.”
“You’ll need to come back tomorrow,” he says firmly.
He’s not intimidated by me, and I sense he’s about to call security.
Time to double down. “Go ahead. Call everyone you’ve got. Dial the Marines for all I care, but I’m not leaving without seeing River.”
Just then a guard comes around the corner. He’s wearing a khaki brown uniform and has an XL donut holder. Yes, I mean his stomach.
“Carl, this gentleman is refusing to leave,” says reception guy.
Carl the security guard looks at me, and his eyes light up. “It’s you! Mr. Ultra Mega Love! I’m a huge fan.”
I wave, unsure how I feel about having fans. “Just Huff.”
“Just Huff. I like it! Though, Mr. Ultra Mega Love does have a ring to it.”
Why are people so hung up on Just being in my name? I shake my head while Carl pulls out a pen and small notepad from his shirt pocket.
“Can I get an autograph?” he asks. “It’s for my sister. Her best friend’s daughter was one of the students you saved.”
The reception guy looks thoroughly confused. “You know him?” he asks Carl.
“Don’t you watch the news? This is Mr. Love—oops. My bad. Just Huff.” Carl points to me.
Desk guy shakes his head no.
I take the pad from Carl’s hand and sign my name—Huff—before giving it back.
“Hey, Carl,” I say, “think you can help me out? My best friend is locked up here because she told her parents I was still alive. They didn’t believe her.”
“Anything for you, man.” He flashes a toothy smile.
“Carl,” desk guy objects, “you can’t let him—”
“You gonna stop him, Mike?” Carl chuckles. “Cuz Just Huff here can crush his way through any wall. He can travel at the speed of light.”
“Well, not light,” I say. “That’s one hundred and eighty-six thousand miles per second. I’ve only clocked myself at two thousand.”