Shea nodded and said, "I'll keep it in my room. I won't lose it."

"Good. Have you had dinner yet?" Elliot asked.

"I did! I ate at the hotel with Hayden."

"You seem to like Hayden a lot," Elliot said as he recalled the way she had switched seats with Mike that afternoon.

In the past, she had never left his side while they were out.

Today, however, she had actually preferred sitting next to Hayden.

"I like Hayden and Layla," Shea said.

She had a strong feeling that she was not only Hayden's aunt but Layla's as well.

She felt this way because she recognized that the bond Hayden and Layla shared to be the same as the one she and Elliot shared.

Elliot could not help but recall the way he had almost strangled Hayden to death at the mansion in the forest.

When they met that afternoon, Hayden did not once look at him.

It was as if he was avoiding him on purpose.

Elliot was sure that the boy was traumatized.

He felt guilty as he recalled what had happened.

He had never felt guil