The air outside the asylum was heavy and thick, like it hadn't decided whether to rain or not. Ronnie crossed the parking lot with Landon silently at her side.
They reached the SUV, and Landon finally paused, pulling the keys from his jacket pocket. He looked at her, long and measured.
“Dr. Summers,” he said in a tone that was neither cold nor warm — simply... direct. “Get in. We need to talk before we go back.”
Ronnie swallowed thickly but nodded. She climbed into the passenger seat, feeling her nerves crawl along her skin.
The door shut with a heavy thud.
Landon started the engine but didn’t pull away. He rested his wrist casually on the steering wheel, turning slightly to face her.
For a moment, he simply studied her. Like he was trying to pull apart every layer she kept hidden.
