Chapter 434

I just sighed. She was right. “Fine. You’re right.” I shut my laptop and stretched my neck. “What time is it, anyway?”

“Way past your bedtime.” She looked at the clock. “You have three hours to sleep before you have to go to work.” I groaned.

“I’m not going in tomorrow. I’m going to call in.”

“What? Why?” My mom stood and grabbed my laptop, sliding it onto my dresser.

“Because.” I groaned as I stood. “I have to go to the university to grab something.” I stretched out my back from hunching over the laptop and rubbed my neck.

“What do you have to grab?” My mom was heading to the cabin, and I grabbed my laptop to follow. I turned off the lights and sealed the door behind me, so even if someone found a way into my house, they couldn’t follow us to the cabin.

“Apparently, letters.”

My mom turned to look back at me from my door. “Letters? From who?”

I lifted my shoulder. “Rowan… I think.” My mom lifted her brow, but I shrugged. “Thoth said something about the letters, and Daddy said he decided for me.” I sighed as I slid into my bed. “I guess I’ll find out tomorrow.” I pulled my phone out and messaged Rick.

Amy: Hey, I’m not feeling the greatest, and I have to run back to the university. I won’t be coming in this morning.

Then I plugged in my laptop and my cell phone. My mom, ever the mom, came and kissed me goodnight. Then I was already drifting to sleep as she shut the door.

I felt like I had just closed my eyes when my alarm went off. I groaned as I rolled over and shut it off. “Seriously?” I slammed my head against the pillow as I saw the light on my phone. I cracked an eye as I clicked on the notification. Three texts.

I sighed as I heard everyone downstairs already moving. “Fuck.” I clicked the first message.

Rick: Take your time, but since you have them, once you are free, continue with the box of doom. I need all those notes organized. Thanks.

I couldn’t even take a day off. I wanted to roll over and go back to sleep, but I knew I couldn’t. I groaned as I noticed the next text.

Brandon was next.

Brandon: Good morning, baby. I can’t wait to see you today. I’ll meet you at your office, and we can have breakfast together.

Fuck that. Just another reason to stay home. I deleted that message before I stretched, then I got out of bed. I walked to the bathroom as I clicked on the last message. That was from a number I didn’t recognize. I clicked on it as I stripped and turned on the water.

Unknown: Amy, I know you are probably spiraling about everything that we discussed last night.

1/3

I furrowed my brow and then realized, once my brain kicked in, that the number was obviously Thoth. I could see that he had a countdown in the corner, like Rick did when he sent me a message that deleted itself.

Oh crap.

Thoth: I need you to know that you don’t have to. Whatever happens, or whatever is decided, I will always be your friend. I will always be in your life.

The message disappeared right as I finished it.

But a new one came through right as I was about to put it down.

Thoth: But I’m going to be frank, read the letters. I hope you understand my frustration.

Then that message was gone too. I sighed as I tossed my phone onto the counter, and then I stepped into the shower. Hopefully, this would wake me up. I washed up and stepped out to find Carly waiting for me on the end of my bed. Her little pigtails were lopsided, and she smiled when I walked in.

“Good morning!” She ran to me and hugged me. “I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too, baby girl.” I hugged her close. “I have to go for a run, but when I get back, did you want to help me?”

She looked up at me with wide eyes. “With what?”

“Paperwork.” I frowned. “But I’d rather do it with you and spend time with you. You don’t even have to help. You can color or something.”

Carly jumped up and down. “No, I want to help.” She squealed.

“It’s just a box of papers, Car.” I laughed as she did a little dance.

“Yeah, but I get to spend time with you. And I know you won’t tell me anything about why you were gone, but I saw.” The words hit me like a sledgehammer. “I saw you in the jail cell. You were hurt and cold, but you were strong.” She came over to me, this little girl. “I’m seven now… you don’t have to keep things from me.”