16. Where's Rebecca?

Layla watched Hope run through the garden, laughing as she chased butterflies.

She didn’t remember anything at that age but must have done the same with her mother. Rebecca had been involved in every aspect of their lives.

She had been a good mum until she’d gone.

What would Hope remember of her?

How long would she have with her daughter before the Hunters forced her to abandon her?

Pain lanced through her before she could block it out.

“Mummy!” Hope’s delighted squeal pulled her focus back. The little girl ran over, hiding something in her palms and a little smirk that looked so much like Jackosn’s on her lips.

“Open,” the toddler ordered.

“It’s not a spider again, is it?” she asked hesitantly.

Hope shook her head and giggled.

“Open,” the girl demanded again.

She took a breath while she held the green gaze that was the same as hers and then gently pried Hope’s fingers open. A worm wriggled in her palm, attempting to escape to safety.

She sat back and made a face. She