Perpetually Grounded

Chapter 268: Perpetually Grounded Savannah Later That Day “What are you going to do now?” River’s voice was gentle, careful—like she was afraid the wrong inflection might shatter me completely. It was late afternoon. The sunlight slanted through the tall windows in pale gold ribbons, dust motes drifting lazily in the air as if the world hadn’t come to a halt inside this room. Reese had left hours ago—where, I had no idea—and I hadn’t asked. I didn’t have the strength to. He probably went for a drive to cool off. River and I sat on the edge of my bed, close enough that our shoulders touched. The steady beep… beep… beep of Roman’s monitor filled the silence, a sound that had become both my anchor and my torment. Proof that he was still here. Proof that he wasn’t really here at all. I’d told River everything. The office. The threats. The way Reginald’s calm voice still echoed in my head like a poison I couldn’t seem to flush out. I shrugged weakly. “I don’t want to do it withou