Ghosted

Liam's gut twisted seeing how Ava was sticking up for Ethan.

His face was a blank slate, but his eyes were a pressure cooker of emotions.

"I'm gonna grab a smoke," he said flatly, and turned on his heel.

The door clicked shut with a little too much force.

Ava, though, was lost in her own head.

She was back to that night thirteen years ago, that damn nightmare. The howling wind, the roaring fire, the endless pain and those desperate cries.

Ethan was the key to that locked-up memory. Just the thought of him sent a jolt of pain through her, her emotions a tangled mess that took ages to sort out.

A single tear slipped down her cheek, landing on the blurry photo.

After what felt like forever, Ava finally pulled herself together.

She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, her gaze going back to the photo. Who the hell was secretly helping her out?