Shattered Asylum

Chapter 60

We pack quickly and leave soon after. The car ride to the airport is cloaked in an oppressive silence, my nerves buzzing with anxiety and frustration.

A nagging feeling churns in the pit of my stomach, something isn't right, and no one is telling me the truth.

I glance at Grayson, his jaw tight, his focus locked on the road like it holds all the answers he refuses to give me.

"Grayson," I start hesitantly, my voice breaking the stillness. "What's going on? Why are my grandparents acting so weird?"

He exhales sharply, his hand moving to rest on my thigh. The gesture feels like it's meant to comfort me, but it only makes my chest tighten.

"There's a lot you don't know," he says quietly, glancing at me for a brief moment, his eyes shadowed with something I can't place. "Things I can't tell you. Just trust me, everything I'm doing is to keep you safe."

"Safe? From what?" My voice wavers, climbing higher with every word. "Why can't anyone tell me anything? Why am I always left in the dark?"

He rakes a hand through his hair, frustration flickering across his face. "Just... please, Av. Give me some time."

Time? Time for what? My anger simmers, but I bite back the urge to press him further. Instead, I turn toward the window, crossing my arms as my thoughts spiral.

The rest of the ride, and even the flight, is wrapped in a heavy silence, Grayson's vague answers replaying in my head like a broken record.

When we finally arrive in New Jersey, dusk settles over the landscape. Grayson drives us to a house tucked away on the outskirts of a quiet town.

It's a charming two story farmhouse with an old world appeal. The soft beige exterior is warm and inviting, accented by dark wooden shutters framing each window.

Ivy climbs up one side of the house, adding a touch of timeless character, while a wide front porch wraps around the front, complete with a swing and clusters of potted plants overflowing with colorful blooms.

The driveway crunches under the tires as we pull in, the sound grounding me as I take in the well kept lawn stretching out to meet the edges of a dense forest.

The late afternoon sun bathes the property in a golden glow, casting long shadows that sway with the breeze.

Despite my lingering frustration and the unanswered questions clawing at my mind, I can't deny the tranquility of the place.

It feels like the kind of home that belongs to a different world, a world far removed from the mayhem swirling around me.

But even as I take it all in, one thought gnaws at the edges of my calm: What does Grayson have to do with all this?

Grayson parks the car and turns to me, his expression softening into something apologetic. "Thanks for coming. I know it wasn't easy."

Not like I had much of a choice.

I nod curtly, my annoyance still simmering from our earlier argument. "How long are we going to be here?" I ask with a sigh, already dreading the thought of staying too long.

He hesitates. "I don't know."

I scoff, the frustration bubbling over. "You can't even tell me how long I'm stuck here? Am I at least going home for Thanksgiving?"

He pauses, his jaw tightening before shaking his head. "No."

The single word feels like a punch to the chest. I take a slow breath, my throat tightening as I fight the sting of tears. Without another word, I shove the door open and climb out of the car.