Chapter 30 - Ryker

My phone rang just as I was getting ready to pick it up and make a call. I smiled when I saw Willow's name scroll across the screen. She'd reached out to me again. I intended for it to be at least a daily occurrence.

I hit the connect button. "Hey, cupcake. I was just getting ready to call you."

A low, mechanical whine rose over the line. I could hear her breathing, slow. Measured.

The hairs rose on my arms as I waited for her to speak. "Willow?" I called. What the fuck was going on? A feeling of dread sank into my neck.

Nothing but that droning whine filled my ear.

I pulled the phone from my ear, checked to see if we were still connected. We were. I put the phone back up to my head. "Willow Chase," I barked, putting steel in my voice.

Nothing. Nothing but a motor spinning in the background.

Something was very wrong. I plugged my free ear, prayed I would hear something from her.

"Why did you kiss me like that?" she asked finally. Her voice was monotone. Dolls had