Chapter 23

Clementine

The sound of the howl made me jump out of my skin. I turned and looked in the general direction of the backyard. Idiot, I smiled fondly. I turned my head to see if I could hear anything else, but all I could make out was the shower running.

The water was scalding hot by the time I stepped into it. My entire life had changed within twenty-four hours and learning about everything had exhausted me physically and mentally. The aftereffects of the Rohypnol were unapparent. There was no queasiness or hangover-like symptoms now—just pure exhaustion. I simply wanted to burn the essence of the day away with this hot shower, climb into bed, and sleep for a million years.

I pushed my face right into the spray of water, then lowered my head, letting it hit the back of my neck, groaning as the heat hit my muscles. Eventually, I grabbed the soap and loofah and washed myself in slow, soothing circles.

After my shower, I dressed in shorts and a comfy threadbare t-shirt and headed toward