The thunder rumbled loudly.
Josie immediately covered Ruthâs mouth and scanned the area around them. After confirming that no one was around, she let out a breath of relief.
âWhat do you mean?â Josie asked. âAre you saying that other girls ended up here like me?â
Ruth nodded. âPlenty. They were all my dadâs girlfriends. But some didnât make it out. because they were too dumb.â
Josie felt a shiver down her spine as she imagined their illâfated endings. âWhy did you help them?â
âThey looked pitiful. They were covered in wounds like you. Ruthâs eyes were glassy with emotion, revealing her deep concern.
âHow about this? Can you come back here tomorrow at the same time to find me? I need some time to think.â
Ruth nodded in understanding. She turned away and walked towards the fence, taking the brick away and crawling out of there to where she belonged.
Josieâs head was filled with a whirlwind of thoughts. She knew she shouldnât be too trusting of anyone, but Ruth was only a fiveâyearâold girl. What schemes could she be capable of?
When Josie returned to the room, Arnold tried to get up using his crutches. âWhere did you go?â he asked.
Josie marched over to support him. She changed the subject, saying, âWonât the Olsens be mad at you for leaving Wavery for so long?â
âAre you getting jealous thinking about Summer?â Arnold asked.
âDo I look like Iâm jealous?â Rolling her eyes, Josie placed a pillow for him to lie on. âStop daydreaming.
Iâm simply curious.â
âYou should be worried, Arnold teased with a mischievous grin. âAfter all, we disappeared at the same time and didnât return for such a long time. Iâm sure the rumors about us are already spreading like wildfire in Wavery.â He lit up a cigarette to elevate the pain.
Josie ignored his playful remarks. âYou have a point,â she said. âAfter all, now that Liana has returned, Summer has lost the power and standing she had in the past. Youâre of no use to the Olsen family anymore. Iâm sure Mark would be glad to know that youâve disappeared. You have no intention of returning to Wavery because that place is no longer an area that is beneficial to you.â
Arnold took a drag on his cigarette and blew the smoke out slowly. âHow are you so confident that Summer would lose her power?â he asked through the puff of smoke.
Josie spread her hands in front of her, gesturing to him that everything was as clear as day. âIsnât it obvious enough?â she said rhetorically as she lifted a brow.
Suddenly, a thought popped up in her mind. âI heard that Liana was able to prove her identity to Mark and Claudia due to her birthmark,â she said. âwhat kind of birthmark did she have?â
Josie also had a birthmark, but it wasnât obvious. She didnât like it, so she would always subconsciously try to hide it from Dexter.
Arnoldâs hand halted in the air when he heard her question. âIâm not sure,â he answered in at flat voice.
Josie was oblivious to the odd behavior change as she was busy tidying up things.
âArnold.â
âYes.â
âI⦠I thinkâ¦â
He lifted his head and asked, âWhatâs on your mind?â
Josie stared into his eyes, and she couldnât bring herself to talk about it. How could she think. of leaving the person who saved her behind?
âNothing,â Josie lied.
The clock ticked. After a moment, Arnold got exhausted from sitting up and returned to bed. He leaned towards one side and uttered, âIf you can leave, you should.â
He went straight to the point, his words pouring out in one breath.
âIâ¦â Josie froze at her spot. She didnât expect him to figure out her plans.
âI know you want to leave to find your father. I understand your feelings, but I cannot guarantee your safety this time.â
Arnold sounded dispirited, his voice leaving no hint of emotion as he stated the reality of the situation.
Josie stood rooted to her spot for a long while. After ruminating for a bit, she finally made her decision and leveled her gaze at him. âIf you need me in the future, Iâll be here for you.â