Free Dust and Obey by Christy Barritt

grabbed a flashlight. I guess I told you that in your mute ear.”
    Mute ear? Ears couldn’t be mute, but I didn’t bother to correct her.
    Angelina stared at everyone, like we were the crazy, crass ones. “You all didn’t have to get so worried. I’m a big girl, and I’m wearing my big girl panties.” She said the last part with a cartoonish voice. Then she wiggled her hips as if she knew we all had an unwanted mental image, thanks to her word choice.
    I attempted to poke out my mind’s eye.
    “Why didn’t the people searching the first floor see you?” I asked.
    Angelina shrugged. “I went up the back stairway. There’s a window there, so I thought I could see better.”
    My gaze zeroed in on Atticus Griffith. Riley had informed me that I’d found the scarf in Atticus’s drawer. Why did Atticus have Anna’s scarf?
    Dr. Turner cleared his throat. “I think we should call this a night. We should all get some rest and return bright and early tomorrow morning to begin fresh. You’re dismissed for Bird’s Nest Time, but be back to your rooms by nine. Sound good?”
    Everyone began to disperse.
    Except Riley and I.
    Bird’s Nest Time? What in the world was he talking about?
    Dr. Turner seemed to sense our confusion and turned to address us. “I don’t want to spend too much time sharing your story tonight. We prefer to do that as a group so we can all help each other. I did want to take the opportunity to say that we’re thankful to have you here with us. Did you have any questions for me?”
    “Is it always this exciting around here?” I rubbed my arms as goosebumps scattered across my skin like a minefield. I’d always said they popped up when fear had nowhere else to go.
    “Not usually, but this past weekend was out of the ordinary.”
    “Why’s that?” Riley asked, moving closer to me.
    Dr. Turner fidgeted. “The couple whose place you took met with an unfortunate tragedy. The wife took her own life, and that’s shaken everyone up. But I think staying together through hardships like this is important. That’s why I didn’t cancel the rest of our sessions. We’re going to use this experience to bring everyone closer together.”
    The doctor seemed to have a good explanation for everything, didn’t he?
    “That’s terrible,” I whispered.
    He nodded. “I couldn’t agree more. It’s the antithesis of what I want to see happen here. In truth, it greatly concerns me, and I feared no one would want to come back. Thankfully, everyone saw her death for what it was—a terrible tragedy that we all want to avoid in our lives.”
    “I have one more question, Dr. Turner.” I straightened my spine. “When I checked my suitcase in my room, it looked like someone had gone through my things. Do you know who would have done that?”
    He pressed his lips together. “As a matter of fact, I do. I thought Blaine had told you. Leroy dropped your suitcase on the way up. It wasn’t locked and your things tumbled out. He picked up everything and tried to neatly put them back inside. We apologize that it happened, and I’m sorry no one filled you in.”
    The explanation seemed logical enough . . . I supposed. I was still bothered, though.
    “Now,” Dr. Turner brought his hands together. “Bird’s Nest Time is what we call alone time at the end of each day. It’s an opportunity for husbands and wives to talk about the day and air any of their problems with each other privately. We call it Bird’s Nest Time because many birds mate for life. That’s what we promote here also.”
    I nodded, not a fan of the cheesy, fowl-themed images his words evoked in my mind. I really hoped that one of his sessions wasn’t about the birds and the bees. “I see. Is there anywhere in particular we’re supposed to have Bird’s Nest Time?”
    “Wherever you would like. Wherever is private. But we do put a time limit on this interaction. We like to be structured here. Boundaries are good for all of us, both during