Dr. Chen arrived at the castle within an hour of our return.
Ash and Ryder were physically unharmed but emotionally shattered. They wouldn't let me out of their sight. When I tried to set Ryder down so he could use the bathroom, he screamed until I picked him up again.
"It's normal," Dr. Chen said quietly, watching as I held both boys in the oversized chair in their room. They'd finally fallen asleep, exhausted from crying. "They've experienced a traumatic k********g. Separation anxiety is expected."
"How long will it last?"
"Hard to say. Days, weeks, possibly longer." She made notes on her tablet. "We'll need to establish new safety routines. Help them rebuild their sense of security."
"How do I do that when I can't guarantee their safety?" My voice cracked. "Someone walked into the
